Rear Wheel bearing Replacement...HOW? - 01 Camry

[Shane Sisk]

Alright- just developed a hmmmm in my right rear wheel - had it checked at a shop and they informed that my wheel bearings (which I was hoping to have re-packed) needed to be replaced - evidently they have now sealed these guys and are "repair free" because you cannot repair them - you have to replace them

Couple questions - anyone replaced their wheel bearing unit on a 01 Camry or comprable?
Do you need to replace them in pairs? (hopefully not)

Why is it that I was told that these sealed wheel bearings are to last the "life of my vehicle"? and yet - I have to replace them - any recalls or warrenty issues here?

Any advice or suggestions on ease of repair?

Thanks

[WickedNYCowboy]

Most companys are doing it these days.

[ProMan]

You need to replace the whole hub. Not difficult at all -- 4 bolts.

The bearing should last very long. But if you have a bearing noise, it's bad. But make sure it's the bearing noise, not from other sources.

[Scrapper]

yes they are sealed and he's right take wheel off 4 bolts behind brake drum..you also can get the hub first and see what your replacing...good luck..

[JOET/CAMRY]

Why is it that I was told that these sealed wheel bearings are to last the "life of my vehicle"? and yet - I have to replace them - any recalls or warrenty issues here?

Hello Shane Sisk,

That is very odd that the rear wheel bearings need to be replaced on a 2001 Camry. how many miles are on the car? I have a 1989 camry with 206,000 miles on the odometer and it has the original rear wheel bearings. I guess they don't make them like they used to or you just got stuck with a defective bearing that didn't last as long as it should have.

I would take ProMans advice and make sure it is the wheel bearing that is causing the noise and not something else. it would be horrible to get it replaced just to find out that the wheel bearing wasn't the cause of the noise.

Good luck fixing your car.

Regards,
JOET/CAMRY

[Shane Sisk]

Yea - good thoughts and questions - thanks for the advise -
I developed the noise, slight - about 3 weeks ago and took it to the shop and asked what it was - they told me - sealed wheel bearing unit - 450.00 -more or less must be defective, from the standpoint of they are supposed to last the "lifetime" of the car -
the noise has started to become louder...so I need to get this done...THIS weekend.
4 bolts...do I need to take the drum off? Or can I pull the entire thing off (drum included) and then replace the unit?

Sounds pretty simple - surprised the shop was going to charge so much...
THanks again

[Scrapper]

you have to remove brake shoes and brake line the hole asembley of brakes then take the 4 bolts out you should have torxs head behind the hub and 4 nuts behind backing plate then pull sealed bearing
and then put back together you should get you a hanes manual for your car....good luck...

[ProMan]

Originally Posted by Scrapper

you have to remove brake shoes and brake line the hole asembley of brakes then take the 4 bolts out you should have torxs head behind the hub and 4 nuts behind backing plate then pull sealed bearing
and then put back together you should get you a hanes manual for your car....good luck...

Well, I am pretty sure you don't need to touch the brake at all, except taking off the drum. The hub can be removed without taking off anything else, just 4 bolts.

If you have rear disk brake, then you need to take off the rotor and caliper. But, still, don't have to touch brake lines.

[FURFACE47]

It's easy as the others replyed, but just take the 4 bolts out, leaving the brakes alone, if you have abs make sure you tell the dealership this. Or pay Ten bucks for 24 hr use and get the same info I use every day. http://techinfo.toyota.com/public/main/main.html. Oh' when you get it off you will notice that the bearing is not sealed, but don't fool with trying to fix this one just get the assembly, before you install it pack it flush with MPG grease as you will see just a little white grease in it. That was cheap 450.00 including part and labor, you will see after getting a part price.