Doing a front wheel bearing myself... do they need to be pressed or not?

[babyeater304]

Everyone, including the service guy at my local dealership, says they need to be pressed and I either need to have a shop do the whole thing or have a machinist press them. However, over on yotatech I read about people that have done bearing replacements themselves with no press. And then, there is this 5-part youtube tutorial where the guy does it with no press.

DIY: 1994 4runner Front Brake Job incl. new Rotors & Wheel Bearings (Part 3 of 5) - YouTube

However that's a '94. I have a 2002 SR5. However, I asked the service guy at my dealership and he said there is no difference between the two.

I don't want to pay the quoted $500 to have the dealer do it. Is it possible to do by myself if I just order them online? And if I do order them online, will it come with everything I need (except the grease, of course) to replace them?

Also, i'm considering for the price to just replace the whole hub. Good idea, bad idea?

 

[LittleCaesar]

Every 3rd gen wheel bearing is pressed in since they are sealed. Buy a 20 ton press or have the dealer/machine shop do it.

That said, if you can get the knuckle off for the front and the axle out of the back, that will save ya some $$$ in labor costs.

 

[NOT ME OR SOMEBODY]

Pretty sure they are in fact a sealed bearing ( much different setup than the video you posted.

A lot of shops will have a tool set called a"hub tamer", that they can push the old bearing out and a new one in while the steering knuckle remains on the vehicle.

Never did this to the Runner but recently did a 1996 Camry bearing, this way.

I pulled the spindle and beat the old bearing out and took the spindle and new bearing to a local shop and they used their hub tamer to press the new bearing in, for $35.00

 

[Singtoe]

I used a gear puller and was able to change out my wheel bearings. It is easy. It is easier if you have a press.

The vdo posted is not how our wheel bearings are. Ours are less complicated.

 

[Stick Figure]

I used a gear puller and was able to change out my wheel bearings. It is easy. It is easier if you have a press.

The vdo posted is not how our wheel bearings are. Ours are less complicated.

a "special" gear puller is actually what the Toyota service manual shows as well. I tried a gear puller on mine first, but it wouldn't budge the hub. I ended up using a 12ton press and some pieces of I beam to do it.

and yes first and second gen are serviceable bearings (like the vid), 3rd gen are pain in the ____ pressed in, and 4th and i believe 5th are bolt in.