GM 457052 Front Wheel Bearing

In most instances, the front wheel bearings will not require servicing until the brake pads are altered. However, these bearings ought to be inspected whenever the front wheels are elevated for any reason. When the vehicle is securely supported on jack stands, the wheel should be spun to check for noise, rolling resistance or free play. The top of the tire should be grabbed with one hand and the bottom of the tire with the other, moving the tire in and out on the spindle. If it moves more than 0.005 in, the bearings should be inspected, and replaced if necessary.

In most instances, the front wheel bearings will not require servicing until the brake pads are altered. However, these bearings ought to be inspected whenever the front wheels are elevated for any reason. When the vehicle is securely supported on jack stands, the wheel should be spun to check for noise, rolling resistance or free play. The top of the tire should be grabbed with one hand and the bottom of the tire with the other, moving the tire in and out on the spindle. If it moves more than 0.005 in, the bearings should be inspected, and replaced if necessary.

To replace your car wheel bearings, start by hoisting or jacking up the car and securing it with jackstands. Take off the wheel and tire before you suspend the brake caliper on wire hung from up arm. After that, remove the hub dust cap, cotter pin, spindle nut and washer. Be cautious because removing it from spindles while the bearing is in a hub may have it out of its position. Pry out the grease seal to take out an outer bearing then discard old seal, pry out the inner bearing and again throw away the old seal. Repeat these steps for another wheel. Wash all parts thoroughly with solvent, check old races for any galling or scoring; if any are found drive them out of the hub using a brass drift. Lubricate new race and seat squarely into hub with suitable tool. Examine bearings for cracked cage or pitting (replace race if necessary). Clean hub and spindle, lubricate wheel bearings with high-temperature front wheel bearing grease, apply a light film of grease to spindle at bearing seats. Inboard of each bearing race in hub add grease, pack bent thorough with grease adding more inboard after placing inner bearing in hub. Install new grease seal flush with hub lubricating seal lip with thin layer of grease. Carefully install the hub and rotor assembly; place outer bearing, washer and nut then tighten spindle nut to specified torque turning wheel forward slightly by hand as you do this. Turn back nut to "just loose" position; hand tighten it then install new cotter pin for example 1/8 th inch left sticking through hole beyond other end of castle nut (not too tight). Finally install dust cap, brake caliper, wheel/tire as well as lower vehicle to ground.

In most instances, the front wheel bearings will not require servicing until the brake pads are altered. However, these bearings ought to be inspected whenever the front wheels are elevated for any reason. When the vehicle is securely supported on jack stands, the wheel should be spun to check for noise, rolling resistance or free play. The top of the tire should be grabbed with one hand and the bottom of the tire with the other, moving the tire in and out on the spindle. If it moves more than 0.005 in, the bearings should be inspected, and replaced if necessary.

A bearing puller that grips the bearing from behind is required, typically using a slide hammer and axleshaft bearing remover attachment.

Torque the lug nuts and axle nuts to specification and recheck for looseness. If the wheel bearing is worn or damaged, it should be replaced. If the wheel bearing is out of adjustment, adjust it to specification; if it remains loose, replacement is necessary.

Remove the wheel and brake caliper, then pry the dust cap out of the hub.

Drive in the new bearing using a special bearing driver available in most auto parts stores.

The bearing should be tapped into the full depth of the recess and the numbers on the bearing should be visible from the outer end of the axle housing.

Finally, install the tire/wheel assembly on the hub, tighten the lug nuts, check the bearings again, and lower the vehicle.

A bearing puller is needed.

Front wheel bearings should be checked whenever the front of the vehicle is raised, typically coinciding with brake pad replacement. During inspection, assess each wheel by spinning it and examining for noise, rolling resistance, and freeplay.

Front wheel bearings should be checked whenever the front of the vehicle is raised, typically coinciding with brake pad replacement. During inspection, assess each wheel by spinning it and examining for noise, rolling resistance, and freeplay.

To determine if your vehicle has a Borg-Warner rear axle, match the axle number stamped on the right side axle housing with the axle codes.

After installing the front wheel bearings, you should lower the model and tighten the lug nuts.