Front wheel bearing?

chimpy

chimpy

New member
Getting a low hum coming from what seems to be the front passenger wheel. It seems to quiet down when making a right turn and gets louder when turning left especially at higher speeds. If it is a wheel bearing(my guess), what kind of job is ahead of me. My other vehicle is a 1999 ZR2 Blazer and the hub/bearing is all one part with the wheel studs and anti-lock brake sensor. Pretty simple to change out.
I have tools so no worry there. Just looking for some FYI's/tips before I tear into this.
 
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Its a pretty straight forward job. You are going to have to pull the front hub off, you can leave the lower ball joint, but you will have to get the front one apart. Once the hub is off the truck its just a matter of removing the seals/snap ring and pressing out the bearing. You will need a substantial shop press. I bought a 20 ton press specifically for this and was hanging on the bottle jack lever to get enough force. Hardest part was getting the hub stable in the press. Unless you already have a press, I would just pull the hub and bring it to a shop to have them swap the bearing.
 
Check out my build thread, I replaced both of mine myself. I used a 12 ton harbor freight press and I didn't have to hang on the arm. I also used a harbor freight 3-jaw puller with some success, though I ended up breaking one in multiple places. Definitely take your time to make sure it's stable in the press. Taking it to a shop is a good idea too, definitely alot easier.
 
I've taken a few to a shop now and so far haven't regretted it. Of course in my case, there are a dozen fairly slow shops within a 10 minute walk for me.
 
Stick Figure said:
Exactly what I used as well with no issues. worked equally as well for the rear bearing removal.
Click to expand...

Did you replace you ABS ring and retainer, or did you re-use? I just had a rear bearing go out and fortunately I had my spare set of axles from before my axle swap, but I would like to try replacing those as well. I don't want to buy new retainers and ABS ring though.
 
Bearings

Where do you take the hub to to have the bearings on a 05 replaced? A repair shop or a machine shop? Do you need to pack the bearings with grease before you take it to them? Thanks.
 
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most competent automotive shops will have a big press. Don't take it to jiffy lube or one of those abysmal places like that.
 
A repair garage frequently doesn't want to do piecework like that though - they'll say something about liability and try to get you to bring the truck to them so they can charge you for the whole job.

In my experience, machine shops are used to driveway monkeys who just lack that one critical tool and are happy to help out.
 
Is the 05 also a press-fit bearing or is it in a carrier? If they went to a carrier design, then you don't need any special tools.
 
Bearing

Got it done. Took it to a local machine shop to have it pressed off and new one on. Much cheaper. Different set up then I've ever seen but not a bad job. I found it odd that the brake line to the caliper was rigid tubing so make plans to tie up and secure the caliper. Amazon had the best price on the part. Mine was a bearing module or bearing hub, depending where you look. Thanks for your inputs.
 
[MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] and I have two videos that would help anyone accomplish this job. Our Upper Balljoint Replacement video would be a good tutorial to show you how to remove the steering knuckle and get it back on. Our Manual Hub Conversion Part 2 video is a good tutorial to show you how to accomplish the required press work.


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-sY2azyLBuI" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>



<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1TpOYj0sUpA" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
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guiaoster said:
Can I just replace the bearing and reuse the hub?
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Don't just replace the bearing. It is a big job.

Get the whole assembly with the new bearing. You can then just unbolt the old and replace the new one.:lasercannon:

I lost a front bearing and had a shop change the bearing. Took hours.

I bought an assembly for when a wheel bearing fails again. $99

Amazon.com: DTA Front Wheel Hub Bearing Full Assembly NT5150402WG3 Fits Front Left or Right Toyota 4Runner Tacoma FJ Cruiser Hilux 2WD Only, Will NOT Fit 4WD. Replaces Dorman # 950-004: Automotive
 
Captsolo said:
Don't just replace the bearing. It is a big job.

Get the whole assembly with the new bearing. You can then just unbolt the old and replace the new one.:lasercannon:

I lost a front bearing and had a shop change the bearing. Took hours.

I bought an assembly for when a wheel bearing fails again. $99

Amazon.com: DTA Front Wheel Hub Bearing Full Assembly NT5150402WG3 Fits Front Left or Right Toyota 4Runner Tacoma FJ Cruiser Hilux 2WD Only, Will NOT Fit 4WD. Replaces Dorman # 950-004: Automotive
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Uhhh, what you linked isn't for a 3rd Gen 4runner. If you forgot, 3rd Gens were made from 1996-2002.
 
I WISH us 3rd geners could just unbolt 4 bolts and the bearing/hub comes off as an assembly, it would make the change a whole lot easier.
 
I did this job a couple of years ago and I took the knuckles to the local Toyota dealership in Midland, TX for them to press in the bearings. One side was smooth but the other side was very tight and I had to give it some force to move it. The technician said that it wasn’t a big deal and it would loosen up after install. It was easier to spin the wheel after installation but I have had a humming vibration noise for some time now. I thought the noise was originally from bad bearings but it hasn’t gone away.
 
HeisenBob said:
I did this job a couple of years ago and I took the knuckles to the local Toyota dealership in Midland, TX for them to press in the bearings. One side was smooth but the other side was very tight and I had to give it some force to move it. The technician said that it wasn’t a big deal and it would loosen up after install. It was easier to spin the wheel after installation but I have had a humming vibration noise for some time now. I thought the noise was originally from bad bearings but it hasn’t gone away.
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You should not have a tight feeling bearing is this job was done right. The mechanics is blowing smoke up your you know what. I suspect they screwed up and didn't support the inner race of the bearing while they were pressing the hubs in. This is a common mistake even for the "Supposed Professionals". So, it sounds like they got lucky on one side when they didn't support the bearing but not so lucky on the other side and they damaged the bearing.

Trust me. No freaking way should a brand new bearing feel tight if the press work was done right. I'd take that knuckle back and make them do the job again.

Now, was your humming vibration from bad front wheel bearings in the first place? It could of been, but maybe not. It could be a bad rear wheel bearing possibly. It could be your driver side front differential needle bearing. Is your rig lifted? It could possibly be a bad u-joint too.
 
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