97 chevy malibu wheel hub replacement.

[thoedpimp]

recently i changed my front brake pads due to the old ones wearing out. i usually buy wagner performance brakes retail about $45. well after test driving around the neighborhood after new brakes installation, i noticed that my left front wheel was making a rubbing noise. come to find out the wheel is now wobbling(or getting to much playing space) that it is now rubbing on my caliper. i had a mechanic look at it - the result: he said that my wheel hub needed to be replaced due to bad bearings. ive since bought the wheel hub from autozone(i know ;/) for a whopping $120. my problem is getting the old wheel hub off..... it looks like an easy job, three bolts ? i need help removing and or a step by step diagram.... or maybe insight on if it can be done without taking to a shop.

[richtazz]

Whatever you do, DO NOT use and impact wrench to re-install the hub nut, or you will ruin the ABS sensor in the hub. These are a fragile design, and no matter what rand you buy, you risk ruining it with an impact. To replace one of these, remove the brake caliper, the rotor and the center hub nut for the axle shaft. Rotate the hub by hand to align the hole thru the hub with the mounting bolts. They should require a t-55 torx bit to remove. The old hub may be rusted in teh spindle and require a little convincing to get out. And remember, install the new hub using HAND TOOLS ONLY!!!! Torque all bolts and the hub nut to spec using a torque wrench, and you should have no problems.

[thoedpimp]

thank you for your concern and reply. i ended up figuring it out..... i only saw the 3 bolts mounting it.... and finally saw the axel nut, i ended renting the right socket(36mm) to remove the axel nut from autozone.... after that is was smooth sailing.... thanks

[stonedraiders1213]

I have the same problem, but Im having trouble getting the axle nut off. It had some type of thing on top of the axle nut keeping me from getting to the nut. I have broken it off but know the 36mm is not catching the nut. was i sopposed to leave that on? Im going to try to get a 35mm and see if that works, if not what else should I do to get that dam axle nut off to replace the hub. thanks.

[johnschmitt]

First off, I hope that was a dust cover or something...

I think the spindle nuts on my 99 were 35mm. The torque spec on those is 284 ft-lbs, so you're in for a fight once you get the wrench to fit. I put a jack under the socket to keep from breaking something and jumped on the end of a 22" breaker bar to get it loose.


A torque wrench is recommended for the tightening procedure, but one can be approximated with a tape measure, a long breaker bar, masking tape, something to put under the socket, and an object of known weight: you.