Wheel Hub, Bearing & Knuckle
FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND/OR HUBSteering Knuckle
Removal
1. Tire and wheel assembly
2. Brake caliper bolts (two) and brake caliper assembly from rotor and knuckle. Suspend caliper from strut.
3. Outboard brake pad and anti-rattle springs from knuckle. Unstake and remove drive axle nut and washer.
4. Four hub retaining bolts from hub.
5. Hub and outer spacer from knuckle using a J34866 and a J2619-01.
6. Brake rotor from knuckle.
7. Cotter pin and castle nut from tie rod end.
8. Tie rod end from knuckle using a J21687-02.
9. Ball stud nut and bolt; separate ball joint from knuckle.
10. Two strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts and remove steering knuckle from vehicle.
Installation
1. Brake rotor to steering knuckle. Apply a light coat of wheel bearing grease GM P/N 1O51344, or equivalent, to outside of hub shaft.
2. Hub and outer spacer to knuckle using a press.
3. Steering knuckle to vehicle; secure with two strut to knuckle bolts and nuts.
Tighten strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts to 80 Nm (59 lb.ft.).
4. Four hub retaining bolts.
Tighten hub retaining bolts to 50 N~m (37 lb.ft.).
5. Ball stud to knuckle; secure with bolt and nut.
Tighten ball joint nut and bolt to 60 N~m (44 lb.ft.).
6. Tie rod end to knuckle: secure with castle nut and cotter pin.
Tighten tie rod end castle nut to 43 Nm (32 lb.ft.).
7. Drive axle nut and washer.
Tighten drive axle nut to 175 Nm (129 lb.ft.).
Stake drive axle nut using a hammer and punch.
8. Outboard brake pad and anti-rattle springs to knuckle.
9. Brake caliper to knuckle and rotor; secure with two caliper-to-knuckle bolts.
Tighten brake caliper to knuckle bolts to 27 Nm (20 lb.ft.).
10. Tire and wheel assembly.
Wheel Hub
Removal
1. Tire and wheel assembly. Unstake and remove drive axle nut and washer.
2. Four hub retaining bolts from hub.
3. Hub and outer spacer from knuckle using a J34866 and a J2619-01.
Installation
Note: Apply a light coat of wheel bearing grease GM P/N 105 1344. or equivalent, to outside of hub shaft.
1. Hub and outer spacer to steering knuckle: tap in using hammer. Place a wood block on the end of the hub to absorb shock from the hammer and to drive the hub into the knuckle evenly.
2. Four hub retaining bolts.
Tighten hub retaining bolts to 50 Nm (37 lb.ft.).
3. Drive axle washer and nut.
Tighten drive axle nut to 175 Nm (129 lb.ft.).
Stake drive axle nut using a hammer and punch.
4. Tire and wheel assembly.
Wheel Bearing
Removal
1. Steering knuckle from vehicle.
2. Inner bearing oil seal using a J 26941 and a J 2619-0.
3. Inner bearing: drive out from the outboard side of the knuckle using a hammer and punch. The bearing spacer can be moved from side to side to facilitate placement of the punch work around the perimeter of the inner bearing by moving this spacer.
4. Bearing spacer from knuckle.
5. Outer bearing: drive out from the inboard side of the knuckle using a hammer and punch work around the perimeter of the bearing.
Inspect inner bearing oil seal for wear or deterioration. Replace the seal at the slightest signs of failure. Both bearings for wear, corrosion, and contamination by dirt or water. If any of these conditions exist, replace the bearings.
Installation
1. Outer bearing to the outboard side of the knuckle using a J 34856 and a J 7079-2.
2. Install bearing spacer and inner bearing to the inboard side of the knuckle using the J 34856 and the J 7079-2. Apply wheel bearing grease GM PIN 105 1344, or equivalent, to lip of inner oil seal.
3. Inner oil seal to the inboard side of the knuckle using a J34881 and a hammer. Drive seal in until it seats firmly on inner wheel bearing.
4. Steering knuckle to vehicle. Refer to "Steering Knuckle" at the beginning of this article.