**Attempt at your own risk. Not responsible for anything**
**Instructions are general steps and do not represent the complete procedures**
There are a few different ways to change the front wheel bearings. One way is to remove the knuckle and hub assembly from the vehicle and use a hydraulic press to press the hub and wheel bearings in/out. Another way is to use a tool such as the Hub Shark system or Harbor Freight’s Front Wheel Bearing Adapter to press the hub and bearing in/out of the knuckle without removing the knuckle and hub assembly from the vehicle. The latter option does not require an alignment afterwards. Here’s a look at using the Harbor Freight Front Wheel Bearing Adapter.
*Using anti seize on contact points, such as screws, allows parts to be removed easier in the future*
*PB Blast can be used to loosen some rusty nuts*
Harbor Freight Front Wheel OEM FWD Hub OEM Slide Hammer
Bearing Adapter PN66829 Puller PN27037 PN27033
I have found pictures as a helpful aid for performing maintenance work. Here are pictures of the general steps involved.
Jack the car up and support it with jack stands. Remove the front wheel, remove the ABS sensor, remove the screw that holds the brake hose to the strut assembly, remove the caliper, hang it to the side, remove the axle nut, and remove the rotor.
Remove the lower ball joint from the lower control arm (LCA). I didn’t use the ball joint fork because I need to resuse the lower ball joint. Instead, jack up the LCA and place a 1/2″ drive ratchet between the LCA and knuckle. Release the pressure from the jack and allow the weight of the car to break free the LCA from the lower ball joint.
Another image of a 1/2″ drive ratchet wedged between the LCA and knuckle below.
Removing the nut from the stabilizer end link allows the LCA to be pressed down with less force when you need to separate the knuckle from the LCA. This attachment can be severely corroded, so proceed with caution.
Remove the hub by attaching the FWD Hub Puller PN27037 to the hub.
Attach the Slide Hammer PN27033 and end nut onto the FWD Hub Puller.
Hub removed.
Now remove axle from the knuckle. The lower ball joint needs to be popped out of the LCA first.
Remove the clasp holding the bearing in. I place a device through the bearing so that if the clasp springs free, there’s less of a chance it would strike anything to cause damage. Always wear safety glasses!
A screw driver to help pry the clasp out.
Use the bearing adapter set from Harbor Freight to press the bearing out. The inner adapter piece will be small enough to pass through the bore. Typically, this will be the adapter piece that contacts with the inner race. The outer cylinder will be large enough to fit the bearing as it slides out of the knuckle assembly.
Not pictured here, but re-insert the lower ball joint into the LCA and place the nut back onto the lower ball joint. This will secure the bearing to be pressed. Two breaker bars are used and the floor is used to hedge. If you’re cranking too hard, stop and make sure everything is aligned properly, the c-clasp is out, your bearing press tool is in good working condition, and you’re using the correct adapters.
Bearing removed.
The bearing will be inside the cup.
Picture of the removed bearing. Note the rubber side faces out. You’ll need to insert the new one with the rubber side facing out.
Clean the inner surface where the bearing sits in the knuckle. Clean the c-clasp and reattach it. Press the new bearing in. Be sure the inner adapter is pressed against the knuckle and not the bearing.
Another picture of the bearing set up to be pressed in.
Remove the inner race from the hub. There are a few ways to do this. I used an angle grinder to grind the inner race. When you think you’ve about grind through the inner race, take a chisel and crack it. Once it’s cracked, the pressure is released and you should be able to slide it off. Remember your safety glasses.
Ready to slide the inner race off the hub.
Inner race.
Press the wheel hub back into the knuckle using Harbor Freight’s Bearing Adapter.
Inner view of the hub pressed back into the knuckle.
Proceed with putting everything back together!