GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 GMC_Truck 🢒 2009 🢒 TopKick C-Series (Conventional) C4/C5 🢒 Brakes 🢒 Air Drums 🢒 Front Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement

Removal Procedure

    Object Number: 201863 Size: MH
  1. Set the parking brake.
  2. Block the vehicle rear wheels.
  3. Lift the vehicle frame until the front tire is off the ground.

    4. Caution: Refer to Vehicle Lifting and Jacking Caution in the Preface section.

  4. Support the frame using suitable safety stands.
  5. Remove the front tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
  6. Remove the caliper assembly, if equipped. Refer to Front Brake Caliper Replacement.
  7. Remove the hub cap (3) and the gasket (4).
  8. Remove the following components:
    9. • The cotter pin (6)
    • The adjusting nut (5)
    • The washer (7)

    Note: Do not let the bearing fall to the floor.

  9. Pull the wheel and rotor assembly part way off of the spindle of the steering knuckle. Remove the outer wheel bearing.
  10. Remove the hub and rotor assembly (10, 12) straight off the spindle (16). Use care to prevent damage to the spindle.
  11. Remove the seal (15).
  12. Remove the inner wheel bearing (14).
  13. Remove the bearing cups.
    14. • Insert a mild steel rod through the opposite end of the hub. Drive the rod against the inner edge of the cups.
    • In order to avoid cocking the cups and damaging the inside of the hub, alternately drive the rod on opposite sides of the cups.
  14. Remove the brake rotor (12) by removing the hub-to-rotor bolts (13). Refer to Front Brake Rotor Replacement.
  15. Remove the wheel studs (11), if needed, using a press.

Inspection Procedure
  1. Inspect the bearings (8, 14) for flat or rough spots. Slowly roll the bearing rollers around the bearing cone in order to find any flat or rough spots. If you find flat or rough spots, replace the bearings.
  2. Inspect the brake rotor (12). Refer to Brake Pad Inspection.
  3. Inspect the wheel studs (11) for cracks or damaged threads.

Installation Procedure

    Object Number: 201863 Size: MH

    Warning: When servicing wheel brake parts, do not create dust by grinding or sanding brake linings or by cleaning wheel bearing parts with compressed air. Many wheel brake parts contain fibers that can become air borne if dust is created during servicing. Breathing dust containing fibers may cause serious bodily harm. A water dampened cloth or water based solution should be used to remove any dust on brake parts. Equipment is commercially available to perform this washing function. These wet methods will prevent fibers from becoming airborne.

  1. Clean the bearings (8, 14) in a suitable solvent. Use a stiff brush in order to remove all of the old lubricant.
  2. Clean inside the hub (10) and the disc (12) assembly. Thoroughly clean all of the lubricant out of the inside of the hub. Wipe dry.
  3. Remove all gasket particles from the hub (10) outer end. Clean all sealing compound out of the oil seal bore in the hub inner end.

    4. Note: Keep the lubricant off of the disc (12) friction surface. Remove the lubricant with a suitable non-toxic, greaseless type of solvent and wipe the surface clean with clean cloths.

  4. Clean the steering knuckle spindle (16). Remove all lubricant with a cloth which has been soaked in solvent.
  5. Clean the cap (3) in solvent. Wipe dry. Remove all traces of the old gasket.
  6. Clean the adjusting nut (5) and washer (7) in solvent. Wipe dry.
  7. Clean the spindle shoulder (16) and the hub (10) bore. Remove all burrs and sharp edges with an emery cloth. Wipe clean with solvent.
  8. Inspect the bearing cups for cracks and pits. Replace any cups that are cracked or pitted.
  9. Inspect the cup fit in the hub. If the cups are loose or if the cups can be rotated in the bore, replace the hub (10).
  10. Inspect the bearings (8, 14) for excessive wear, chipped edges, and other damage. Refer to Wheel Bearings Diagnosis.

    11. Object Number: 201863 Size: MH

    Note: If all of the studs were removed, verify that the shield is in place, if used.

  11. Install the wheel studs (11), if needed, using a press. Fit the studs tightly.
  12. Install the brake rotor (12). Refer to Front Brake Rotor Replacement.
  13. Install the hub-to-rotor bolts (13).

    14. Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.

  14. Tighten the hub-to-rotor bolts according to the following specifications:
    15. • Tighten the 1/2-20 bolt to 120 N·m (88 lb ft).
    • Tighten the 5/8-11 bolt to 225 N·m (166 lb ft).
    • Tighten the 9/16-12 bolt to 163 N·m (120 lb ft).
  15. Install the bearing cups to the hub.
  16. Position each cup in the hub and drive the cup into place using a suitable driver or a brass drift against the outer edge of the cup.
  17. If you use a drift, alternately drive against the opposite side in order to drive the cup squarely.
  18. Cups must seat against the shoulder in the hub.
  19. Install the wheel bearings (14).

Oil or Grease Lubricated Wheel Bearing Installation

    Object Number: 201863 Size: MH
  1. Whenever oil or grease is indicated in this procedure, use as specified in Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations.

    2. Note: 

       • Use a greasing machine if available. If a greasing machine is not available, pack the bearings by hand. You MUST thoroughly work the grease into the bearings, between the rollers, the core, and the cage.
       • Apply a thin coat of grease to the inside of the hub (10) and the spindle (16). DO NOT fill the hub with grease. A thin coat of grease 3 mm (1/8 in) thick will help to retard rusting. Allow some excess grease at the inside of the bearings and around the adjusting nut.

  2. If the bearings are not oil lubricated, pack the bearings with high-temperature wheel bearing grease.
  3. Install the inner bearing (14) to the hub (10).
  4. Apply grease to the lips of the new seal (15).
  5. Apply a thin layer of non-hardening sealing compound to the hub seal bore.

    6. Note: Face the seal lip inside the hub (10). Provide enough clearance between the seal (15) and the bearing (14) so that the bearing can rotate freely without rubbing against the seal.

  6. Install the new seal (15) to the hub (10). Press the seal into the hub (10) until the seal seats against the bearing cup.
  7. Install the hub (10) and the disc assembly (12) to the spindle (16). DO NOT damage the seal or the flange ring.
  8. Install the outer wheel bearing (8).
  9. Install the washer (7).
  10. Install the adjusting nut (5). DO NOT tighten the nut.
  11. Install the caliper assembly, if equipped. Refer to Front Brake Caliper Replacement.
  12. Install the front tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
  13. Adjust the front wheel bearings. Refer to Wheel Bearing Adjustment.
  14. Install a new gasket (4). Install the hub cap (3).
  15. Install the washers (2) and the bolts (1) and tighten the hub cap bolt (1) evenly to 30 N·m (22 lb in).

    16. Object Number: 201869 Size: SH
  16. If oil lubrication is used, fill oil to the level on the window (2).
  17. Install the window plug (1).
  18. Adjust the brakes. Refer to Brake Caliper/Mounting Plate Wear Adjustment.
  19. Lower the vehicle.
  20. Remove the blocks.