How to change a wheel bearing?

Wheel bearings are mechanical parts that provide the connection between the wheel and the hub. If your car's wheel bearings are faulty, don't wait to have them replaced. If you don’t know how to replace your wheel bearings, we will show you how to do it step by step!

What material to change wheel bearings from?

Typically, you will need the following tools to replace wheel bearings:

• gloves, glasses
• jack, wheel chock
• nippers, pliers, set of heads (10mm – 19mm), screwdriver, torque wrench, screwdriver,
• bearing grease
• ratchet wrench (1,2 cm / 19/21 mm)

Estimated time: about 1 hour

Step 1. Park the car on a level surface.

Your safety comes first! Before replacing wheel bearings, it is important to park the vehicle on a level surface so that it does not slip or lose balance!

Step 2: block the wheels with blocks

Use sturdy wheel chocks to secure wheels that you are not going to work with. For example, if you change the front wheel bearing, you will clog the blocks for both rear wheels.

Step 3: Unscrew the nuts and remove the wheel.

Take a pair of pliers that match the nuts you intend to remove, then unscrew all of the wheel nuts without removing them completely. Now take a jack and place it under the wheel to raise the car. Now that your vehicle is fully secured, remove the nuts and tires completely and set them aside.

Step 4: Remove the brake caliper.

For this step, you will need a ratchet and socket head to unscrew the bolts holding the caliper and then a screwdriver to disassemble the caliper itself.

Be careful not to let the brake caliper hang down to avoid damaging the brake hose.

Disassemble and remove the brake disc.

Step 5: Remove the outer wheel bearing.

The hub is the central part of your wheel. The dust cover is the cover that sits in the middle of the hub and protects the fasteners inside. To remove the dust cover, you will need to use a caliper and hit them with a hammer. Once removed, you will have access to the castle nut, which is itself protected by a pin. Pull the pin out with wire cutters, loosen the nut and remove it. Be careful and store these small parts so you don't lose them!

You can now move the hub: place your thumb in the middle of the hub and gently move it with your palm. Then the outer wheel hub bearing will move or fall.

Step 6: Remove the inner wheel bearing.

The inner wheel bearing is located inside the hub. To rebuild it, loosen the wheel nuts with a thin socket wrench or an extension wrench. Once the bolts are unscrewed, the hub will shatter quite easily and you can rebuild the inner wheel bearing.

Step 7: Remove the bearing rings and clean the steering knuckle.

To remove the bearing rings, you will need to break them with a grinding wheel or hammer and chisel, so be sure to get new ones. After removing the bushings, clean the bearing housing around the pivot shaft. Plan to clean up because this is a place with a lot of grease and dirt.

Step 8: Install a new wheel bearing

Before installing a new wheel bearing, lubricate it liberally with a glove or a bearing grease nipple so that it is well saturated with grease. Also add grease to the wheel bearing cavity. Then place the new inner hub bearing on the bottom of the rotor. Be careful to align the bearings and insert them as deeply into the seat as possible.

Step 9: assemble the wheel

Start by reinstalling the hub, remembering to install the outer wheel bearing. Then secure the hub with bolts. Tighten the castle nut and secure with a new cotter pin. Assemble the dust cover, caliper and brake pads. Finally, install the wheel and tighten the nuts. Lower the car with a jack, remove the pads ... Now you have new wheel bearings!