GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Front Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement RWD Pickup

Tools Required

J 29117-A Wheel Bearing Cup Remover

Removal Procedure

  1. Raise and suitably support the vehicle with safety stands. Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  2. Notice: Support the caliper with a piece of wire to prevent damage to the brake line.

  3. Remove the brake caliper. Refer to Front Brake Caliper Replacement in Disc Brakes.

  4. Object Number: 130890  Size: SH
  5. Remove the dust cap from the rotor.
  6. Remove the cotter pin, the nut, and the washer.
  7. Remove the wheel hub and bearing assembly from the spindle.
  8. Remove the outer bearing.
  9. Remove the seal. Pry the seal out and discard the seal.
  10. Remove the inner bearing.
  11. Clean all of the parts in a solvent, then air dry. Do not spin the bearings with compressed air.
  12. Make sure all of the parts are clean and free of grease.
  13. Inspect the rotor. Refer to Brake Rotor Thickness Variation Check or Brake Rotor Lateral Runout Check or Brake Rotor Tolerance in Disc Brakes.
  14. Inspect the bearings and the races for wear or damage. Refer to Wheel Bearings Diagnosis - Tapered in Suspension General Diagnosis.

  15. Object Number: 130898  Size: SH
  16. Remove the inner and outer races using J 29117-A , if necessary.

Installation Procedure

Important: 

   • Ensure that all of the parts are clean and free of grease.
   • Apply an approved high-temperature front wheel bearing grease to the spindle at the inner and outer bearing seat, the shoulder, and the seal seat.
   • Also, finger apply a small amount of grease inboard of each bearing cup in the rotor.
   • Pressure pack the bearings with a grease machine or hand pack the bearings. Make sure the grease is worked thoroughly into the rollers, the cone, and the cage.


    Object Number: 130890  Size: SH
  1. Install the inner and outer races, if necessary.
  2. Install the inner bearing to the rotor.
  3. Apply an additional quantity of grease outboard of the inner bearing.
  4. Install the seal.
  5. 4.1. Lubricate the seal lip.
    4.2. Use a flat plate in order to press the seal down flush with the hub.
    4.3. Seat the outer bearing and the cup.

    Important: Do not scuff the spindle threads.

  6. Install the wheel and bearing assembly to the spindle.
  7. Install the outer bearing to the rotor.
  8. Install the washer.
  9. Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

  10. Install the spindle nut.
  11. Tighten
    Tighten the spindle nut to 16 N·m (12 lb ft), while turning the wheel assembly forward by hand.

  12. Adjust the wheel bearings. Refer to Wheel Bearing Adjustment .
  13. Install new cotter pin. Bend the pin ends against the nut flats.
  14. Install the dust cap to rotor.
  15. Install the brake caliper. Refer to Front Brake Caliper Replacement in Disc Brakes.
  16. Lower the vehicle.

Front Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement 4WD Pickup and Utilities

Removal Procedure

  1. Raise and support the vehicle with safety stands. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  2. Unload the torsion bar. Refer to Torsion Bar and Support Assembly Replacement .
  3. Remove the tire and the wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  4. Apply the brake pedal.

  5. Object Number: 384869  Size: SH
  6. Remove the drive axle nut.
  7. Remove the drive axle washer.
  8. Remove the rotor. Refer to Front Brake Rotor Replacement in Disc Brakes.

  9. Object Number: 392501  Size: SH
  10. Disengage the halfshaft from the wheel hub and bearing assembly. Place a brass drift against the outer end of the halfshaft in order to protect the halfshaft threads. Sharply strike the brass drift with a hammer. Do not attempt to remove the halfshaft from the hub and bearing assembly at this time.

  11. Object Number: 404313  Size: SH
  12. Remove the wheel speed sensor mounting bolt from the wheel hub and bearing assembly.
  13. Remove the wheel speed sensor from the wheel hub and bearing assembly.

  14. Object Number: 404316  Size: SH
  15. Remove the wheel hub and bearing assembly to the steering knuckle mounting bolts.

  16. Object Number: 404315  Size: SH

    Important: Lay the wheel hub and bearing assembly on the hub bolts on the outboard side. This prevents damage or contamination to the bearing seal.

  17. Remove the wheel hub and bearing assembly to the steering knuckle.
  18. Remove the splash shield from the steering knuckle.

  19. Object Number: 404309  Size: SH
  20. Remove the wheel hub and bearing seal from the wheel hub and bearing assembly.

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 404309  Size: SH
  1. Install the wheel hub and bearing seal to the wheel hub and bearing assembly.
  2. Install the splash shield to the steering knuckle. Align the shield to the steering knuckle.

  3. Object Number: 404315  Size: SH
  4. Install the wheel hub and bearing assembly to the steering knuckle. Align the threaded holes.

  5. Object Number: 404316  Size: SH

    Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

  6. Install the wheel hub and bearing assembly to the steering knuckle mounting bolts.
  7. Tighten
    Tighten the wheel hub and bearing assembly to the steering knuckle mounting bolts to 105 N·m (77 lb ft).


    Object Number: 404313  Size: SH
  8. Install the wheel speed sensor to the wheel hub and bearing assembly.
  9. Install the wheel speed sensor to the wheel hub and bearing assembly mounting bolt.
  10. Tighten
    Tighten the wheel speed sensor to the wheel hub and bearing assembly mounting bolt to 18 N·m (13 lb ft).

  11. Install the rotor. Refer to Front Brake Rotor Replacement in Disc Brakes.

  12. Object Number: 384869  Size: SH
  13. Apply the brake pedal.
  14. Install the drive axle washer.
  15. Install the drive axle nut.
  16. Tighten
    Tighten the drive axle nut to 140 N·m (103 lb ft).

  17. Install the tire and the wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  18. Load the torsion bar. Refer to Torsion Bar and Support Assembly Replacement .
  19. Lower the vehicle.