GM 7470003 Front Wheel Bearing (W/Bearing)

The bearings should be repacked every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) and adjusted properly. It is recommended to repack the front wheel bearings during brake repair service. Repack the bearings when removing the rotors for brake pad replacement. Properly adjusted bearings should have a slightly loose feeling and should never be preloaded. If the bearings are too loose, clean and inspect them before repacking and adjusting. To adjust the bearings, raise the vehicle, remove the wheel cover and dust cap, remove the cotter pin and spindle nut, tighten the nut as the wheel spins, back off the nut, and insert the cotter pin. For removal and installation, raise and support the vehicle, remove the wheel and tire assemblies, remove the hub/disc assembly, remove the outer and inner bearing assemblies, wash and inspect the parts, install a new race, pack the bearing with grease, install a new grease seal, install the hub or hub/rotor assembly, install the rotor, install the wheel and adjust the wheel bearing, and install the grease cap. When repacking the bearings, clean and inspect them, fill the bearing cone and roller assemblies with grease, and reassemble and adjust the bearings.

Raise and safely support the vehicle, allowing the front suspension to hang free. Remove the wheel and tire assembly. Clean the halfshaft threads of all dirt and lubricant. Insert a drift punch through the caliper and into the rotor to keep the rotor from turning. Then remove the hub nut and washer, if equipped. Remove the caliper without disconnecting the brake hose. Suspend the caliper from the coil spring with wire; do not let it hang by the brake hose. Remove the disc brake rotor. If equipped, detach the anti-lock brake wheel speed sensor connector. Remove the hub and bearing assembly retaining bolts and the dust shield. Use tool J-28733-A or equivalent to separate the hub and bearing assembly from the halfshaft. Apply a light coating of grease to the knuckle bore. Install the new hub and bearing assembly. Draw the hub and bearing assembly onto the halfshaft with a new hub nut. Install the dust shield and the hub and bearing assembly retaining bolts. Tighten to 70 ft. lbs. (95 Nm). If equipped, attach the anti-lock brake wheel speed sensor connector. Install the disc brake rotor and caliper. Insert a drift punch into the caliper and rotor to prevent the rotor from turning. On 1990-91 vehicles, tighten the hub nut to 185 ft. lbs. (251 Nm). On 1992-98 vehicles, tighten the hub nut to 110 ft. lbs. (145 Nm), except on Deville and Fleetwood equipped with J55 brake, in which case the torque is 130 ft. lbs. (177 Nm). Install the wheel and tire assembly and lower the vehicle.

The non C-lock axle employs a unit roller bearing pressed onto the shaft up to a shoulder.

Using a brass drift, carefully drive the outer bearing race out of the hub, followed by removing the inner grease seal and bearing.

Install the hub and bearing assembly and tighten the mounting bolts to 52 ft. lbs. (70 Nm).

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.

Adjust the wheel bearing to specification; if it is still loose, replace it. Additionally, torque the lug nuts to specification and recheck for looseness. If the wheel bearing is worn or damaged, it should be replaced.

Remove and discard the caliper mounting bracket bolts. Remove the caliper and suspend it in the wheel well with wire. Do not disconnect the brake hose or allow the caliper to hang by the brake hose.

Install the wheel and tire assembly and lower the vehicle.

The new bearing should be tapped in to the full depth of its recess.

To remove the front wheel bearings, begin by removing the hubcap and wheel. Then, use an Allen wrench to remove the two bolts securing the disc brake caliper. Slide a wood block between the brake pads to keep them separated. Carefully slide the caliper off the disc and hang it out of the way using wire. Pry off the hub grease cap and remove the cotter pin and spindle nut. Push the hub assembly back to remove the outer bearing, and then pull off the hub assembly. Pry out the inner bearing lip seal on the rear side of the hub. Finally, remove the inner bearing.