DIY guide · Advanced
How to replace a wheel bearing or hub assembly
A growl that rises with speed often comes from a wheel bearing. Many cars use a bolt-on hub assembly, which is the easiest version. Others have a pressed-in bearing that needs a press.
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Time in the bay
- 2 to 4 hours
- Best bay
- 2-post lift
- Bay cost, plus tax
- $60 to $120
This is a general guide, not a manual for your car. Your vehicle's service manual comes first, especially for torque values, fluid types and capacities. Support the car on the lift locks or jack stands before you go under it, wear eye protection, and if a step feels wrong, stop and ask us. We do not do welding, grinding or painting in the bays.
Look these up before you book
- Bolt-on hub or pressed bearing
- Axle nut size and torque
- Whether the hub carries the ABS sensor ring
Tools
- Large axle nut socket
- Breaker bar and torque wrench
- Sockets
- Brake caliper hook
- Wire brush
- Press if your bearing is pressed in
Parts and fluids
- Hub assembly or wheel bearing, matched to the side and ABS
- New axle nut if the old one is a one-time use
There is an AutoZone nearby, and during business hours parts usually reach the shop in about 10 to 20 minutes. Forgot a filter or need a different size? Order it, keep working, and do not lose your slot.
The retailer's own vehicle picker confirms what fits your car. Always compare the part number with your old part.
Step by step
- Find the sideWeave gently at speed and listen for the sound changing, or check by spinning the wheel off the ground and feeling for roughness.
- Remove the wheel, caliper and rotorHang the caliper by a hook, not by its hose.
- Loosen the axle nutIt is very tight. Use a breaker bar, ideally with the wheels still on the ground or a stable lift.
- Undo the hub boltsPull the hub off the knuckle, tapping if it sticks.
- Clean and fit the new hubClean the mating faces. Fit the new hub, torque the bolts, then the axle nut.
- Rebuild and testRefit rotor, caliper and wheel, then listen on a test drive.
Mistakes to avoid
- Forgetting the ABS sensor, which sets a warning light
- Under-tightening the axle nut
- Replacing the wrong side
Stop and ask for help if
- If the hub is rusted onto the knuckle, you may need heat and a puller. Ask us first.
Doing it in our bays
2-post lift, with the wheels hanging free. Bring a large breaker bar.
Every bay has air, power, work lights and jack stands, and the lift bays come with a short safety walkthrough. Bring your own hand tools, parts and fluids. New to lifts? Read how your first visit goes.
Questions
Can I drive with a bad bearing?
Not for long. A failed bearing can lock up or damage the hub.