How to Change Rear Wheel Bearings

 Changing rear wheel bearings is a job that doesn't have to be performed by a mechanic. This is a task that anyone with some automotive experience and garage access can accomplish on their own. Follow these steps for how to change rear wheel bearings

STEPS:

No.1   Jack the car up so that the rear wheels are off the ground. Prop it up on jack stands and chock the front tires.

No.2   Grip the rear tires at 6 and 12 o'clock, and push them in. If they have little or no resistance, they will most likely need new bearings.

No.3   Remove the transmission tray, engine tray and the plastic cover from the suspension wishbone.

No.4   Remove the rear wheels.

No.5   Ensure that the parking brakes are set and that the car is in Park. A manual transmission should be in gear.

No.6   Remove the axle nut.

No.7   Take the brake pads off of the caliper and unbolt the caliper. Be careful not to strain the brake line.

No.8   Release the parking brake.

No.9   Loosen the screws which mount the rotor and remove it.

No.10   Jack up the suspension housing so that the axle is parallel to the ground.

No.11  Center a 2- or 3-arm puller on the axle shaft and remove the hub.

• The shaft will pull inward as you tighten the puller. When it has gone as far as it can, the hub will pop off.

No.21  Use the wheel bearing removal and replacement tool to reinsert the hub into the bearing, assuring that it is fully seated.

• Be careful not to push out the inner bearing race.

No.22   Reinstall the axle assuring that you don't push the hub back out of the bearing.

No.23   Reinsert the bolts which hold the CV joint to the transmission.

No.24  Reinstall the rotor.

No.25  Reset the parking brake.

No.26   Replace the axle nut. Torque it to 339 foot (103.3 m)-pounds (459.684 Newton Meters, or 469.837 Kilogram Force Meters).

No.27   Replace the brake caliper. Torque the bolts to 85 foot (25.9 m)-pounds (115.26 Newton Meters, or 117.56 Kilogram Force Meters).

No.28  Replace the brake shoes.

No.29   Reconnect the heater supply tube.

No.30  Replace the wheel. Torque the bolts to 96 foot (29.3 m)-pounds (130.18 Newton Meters or 132.77 Kilogram Force Meters).

No. 31  Replace the transmission cover, suspension cover and engine tray.

No.32  Remove the jack stands and lower the car.