Q: How to disassemble, clean, and repack front wheel bearings every 24,000 miles on Chevrolet Nova?
A: Every 24,000 miles, the front wheel bearings should be disassembled, cleaned, and repacked with grease, requiring several items including a torque wrench and special grease. With the vehicle securely supported on jackstands, spin each wheel to check for noise, rolling resistance, and free play. Grasp the top and bottom of each tire and move the wheel in and out on the spindle; noticeable movement indicates the need for bearing inspection and possible repacking or replacement. Remove the wheel, then for models with disc brakes, detach the brake caliper and hang it out of the way, or remove the brake drum for drum brake models. Pry the dust cap out of the hub using a screwdriver or hammer and chisel, then straighten and remove the cotter pin from the locking nut, discarding it and preparing to use a new one during reassembly. Remove the spindle nut and washer, then pull the hub assembly out slightly and push it back to force the outer bearing off the spindle for removal. Pull the hub off the spindle and use a screwdriver to pry the seal out of the rear of the hub, noting its installation. Remove the inner wheel bearing from the hub and use solvent to clean all traces of old grease from the bearings, hub, and spindle, allowing the parts to air dry. Inspect the bearings for cracks, discoloration, and wear, checking the bearing races for damage; if defective, take the hubs to a machine shop for race replacement, ensuring that bearings and races are matched sets. Pack the bearings with high-temperature front wheel bearing grease, working it completely into the bearings, and apply a thin coat of grease to the spindle at various seats. Place a small quantity of grease inboard of each bearing race inside the hub, forming a dam with your finger for extra grease availability. Insert the grease-packed inner bearing into the hub, add more grease outboard, and place a new seal over the inner bearing, tapping it evenly into place until flush with the hub. Carefully position the hub assembly onto the spindle, pushing the grease-packed outer bearing into place, then install the washer and spindle nut, tightening it slightly to no more than 12 ft-lbs of torque. Spin the hub to seat the bearings and remove any excess grease or burrs, checking that the spindle nut remains at approximately 12 ft-lbs. Loosen the spindle nut until just loose, then hand-tighten it until snug, installing a new cotter pin through the spindle and nut hole, adjusting the nut if necessary to align the slots. Bend the cotter pin ends flat against the nut and cut off any excess length, then install the dust cap by tapping it into place. Reinstall the brake caliper or drum, followed by the tire/wheel assembly on the hub, tightening the lug nuts, and finally, check the bearings again by grasping the tire's top and bottom before lowering the vehicle.