GM 457232 Front Wheel Bearing

When changing brake pads or when elevating the vehicle for any reason, checking the front wheel bearings is usually mandatory. Since it's necessary to check each wheel for noises, rolling resistance and freeplay, lift the car by spinning its wheels in a clockwise direction to see if it makes any sound. If there is noticeable play when you hold the tire at the top and bottom and move it back and forth, then you need to examine your bearings which might entail running repairs on them or even replacing them in extreme cases. Remove all these three parts to extract your front wheel bearing; take off the hub cap, unbend straighten and disintegrate away of cotter pin, remove spindle nut along with washer. Pull slightly out on hub/disc assembly then push it back towards yourself so as to take off outer bearing before yanking out entire hub/disc assembly from inside stub axle. You should try using pliers or sharp small flat head screwdriver in order to pry this seal from rear side of this hub; afterwards use solvent cleaner upon those very same elements so as not one brush bristles are left behind within these bearings. The bearings must be perfectly clean after that wash the gears with grease removing solvent taking care that no hair is entangled therein. Replace all defective components identified especially matched sets if possible together with races inside hubs utilizing new ones respectively whenever needed. Fill up your packed stuffing box with high-temperature grease intended for front wheel bearing applying little amount of lubricant onto different portions around spindles also place slight dollop inwardly within every component race inside respective hub's bottom end. Put inner bearing which has been already loaded with greased into position then fit new sealed ring beside outer bearing well secured by washer plus spindle nuts too spun thus tightening down until spacer appears out through 1/8 inch hole present between them both moving forward . Now spin wheel forwards just until bearing seats firmly in place checking spindle nut torque; then finally carefully insert a new cotter pin and dust cap. Lastly, reinstall the brake caliper, attach the wheel/tire assembly and lower the vehicle completely as shown in this diagram after you have completed the inspection process.

A special bearing installer, large socket, or piece of pipe should be used to tap the bearing into the axle housing.

Clean out the bearing recess.

Use a screwdriver to pry the seal out of the rear of the hub, remove the inner wheel bearing, and use solvent to clean all traces of old grease from the bearings, hub, and spindle, allowing the parts to air dry.

Reassemble the hub by reversing the disassembly procedure, using the proper size bearing driver for the new bearing cups.

A special bearing installer, large socket, or piece of pipe should be used to tap the bearing into the axle housing.

The dust cap, cotter pin, spindle nut, washer, outer bearing, seal, and inner wheel bearing need to be removed from the hub.