GM 30020618 Front Wheel Bearing

With the front end of your Sidekick/X-90/Vitara or Tracker up in the air, you only have to check the front wheel bearings when you replace the brake pads, but they should be looked at frequently. This repair job needs both special grease and a torque wrench, among other parts. Put your vehicle up on jackstands. While supported, slowly turn all wheels to listen for noises, evaluate how smoothly they spin, and confirm there's no built-in movement. Hold the tire from both top and bottom, check that the wheel moves freely and easily on the spindle. If you see movement, contact your auto shop for bearing service or greasing. Hold up the brake caliper, and hook it to a nearby spot with a piece of wire to keep it away from the work area. Before Adjusting 4WD Models, Take Off Your Freewheeling Hub Assembly. Take off the four screws holding the front wheel bearing lock plate, then unfasten both parts-the lock nut and thrust washer-before taking out the entire hub assembly from the spindle. Use a screwdriver to push out the inner ring on the wheel bearing, then use snap-ring pliers to remove both the wheel bearing ring and assembly. You may need to use a press tool to push the bearing out of the hub assembly. When dealing with the 1993 and newer wheel bearing versions, which come as sealed cartridges, make sure you tighten the locknut to the right amount of force indicated. Fill the wheel bearing with special heat-resistant grease. Put the bearing into place and add the snap-ring on top. Smear grease on the seal rims before installing them, and stuff grease inside the space behind the seals. Lastly, apply a thin layer of grease to the outer edge of the spindle. Put the hub assembly on the spindle. On top of that, put the spindle thrust washer, and tighten the wheel bearing nut to its proper torque setting. Add the bearing lock plate and screws, but make the final adjustment to the wheel bearing nut if needed to fit the screw holes without struggle. Put the brake disk and caliper in place before you put on the free turning hub for 4WD vehicles. To finish, bolt the tire/rotor package onto the axle and fasten the lug nuts to the right tension, carefully measure the bearings once more, holding both ends of the tire wheel, and put the vehicle back down on the ground.