How to replace front wheel bearing.

[kevincook]

My wife's 04 4runner needs a new right front wheel bearing. I just picked up the part while I am doing a brake job. Can someone tell me how to get the old front wheel bearing off?

I'm guessing I need to disconnect the front axle shaft someplace. Is this correct? I don't want to start tearing things apart that don't need to come apart.

Thanks,
Kevin

 

[kevincook]

I have the rotor and caliper off and I have removed the hub nut. I can see where the bearing module bolts on but I need to get the hub off first. Will the hub pull off or do I need to disconnect the axle shaft someplace first?

Thanks,
Kevin

 

[03L4RUNNER]

Did this my self on my 03 about a month ago, , , my advice is dont do it unless you have some experience and feel confident in spacing the bearing/ seating it properly, you can search my name on 120 and there is more info on it there

 

[03L4RUNNER]

My wife's 04 4runner needs a new right front wheel bearing. I just picked up the part while I am doing a brake job. Can someone tell me how to get the old front wheel bearing off?

I'm guessing I need to disconnect the front axle shaft someplace. Is this correct? I don't want to start tearing things apart that don't need to come apart.

Thanks,
Kevin

You do not disconnect the front axel in anyway

 

[kevincook]

Does the 03 have press in bearings or a bearing module like the 04?

How did you get the hub off in order to unbolt the bearing module?

Can you explain what you mean by spacing the bearing? I've never had to do that on a wheel bearing before.

Thanks,
Kevin

 

[03L4RUNNER]

Does the 03 have press in bearings or a bearing module like the 04?

How did you get the hub off in order to unbolt the bearing module?

Can you explain what you mean by spacing the bearing? I've never had to do that on a wheel bearing before.

Thanks,
Kevin

Spacing meaning you cant just press a two piece bearing in, it has to have the proper tolerances or you will just burn through another on in no time

 

[kevincook]

Thanks,

Did you remove the front steering knuckle also?

Kevi

 

[03L4RUNNER]

No i did not, you only have to remove the 4 bolts holding the bearing housing on, no further than that, but dont forget to put your brake dust sheild back on during the install(I forgot to put mine back on. . . .But at least my brakes stay cooler now lol)

 

[kevincook]

I loosened the four bolts but couldn't completely remove them because they hit the hub. The bearing seems stuck to the steering knuckle. How did you separate them?

Thanks,
Kevin

 

[03L4RUNNER]

with a three jaw bearing puller, and put the bolt on the bearing puller on the threaded axel shaft, but be easy with it and then you can loosen the bolts the rest of the way

 

[03L4RUNNER]

Looks like this, ,, i really wish i had my camera with me at work to show you

 

[kevincook]

I'll have to try again. I was trying that but it is pulling the steering knuckle/bearing and hub off the axle.

Does the bearing go into the steering knuckle at all?

Kevin

 

[03L4RUNNER]

Steering Knuckle? this has nothing to do with that

 

[kevincook]

The steering knuckle is the cast piece that all of these parts are attached to.

Kevin

 

[mjos]

2 other ways to do it for the tool challenged:

Turn the axle nut around and thread it back on to where it is almost even with the end of the shaft. Then take a block of hardwood and a hammer and tap the wood squarely on the nut. It should come off after a few medium swings.

Or, take the axle nut off, put your wheel/tire back on and tighten the lug nuts just enough to hold. Then use the wheel as a slide hammer by pulling it away from the hub. This usually pulls the 4 bolt hub assy away from the knuckle. Jeep guys with the D30 front ends and unit bearing use this method all the time. On the Yota you have to be careful though so that you don't pull the CV axle out of the differential. I prefer method # 1, just don't mess up the threads by hitting it too hard.

 

[kevincook]

I just wanted to follow up in case someone else comes looking for this information in the future.

I had to take the steering knuckle off my truck. I didn't have to disconned the axle shafts to do this. Due to the salt used on the roads around here the bearing was stuck into the steering knuckle. I used a press to get it back out but it was a pain to figure out how to support the knuckle with the dust shield on there. After I got everything apart and clean I pressed the bearing onto the wheel hub and then just bolted the bearing onto the steering knuckle. The bearing slid right into the steering knuckle.

If you live down south you should be able to just use a rubber mallet and knock the bearing and hub off the knuckle to disassemble it.

Everything is back together and running well now. Except for the rear hatch, but that's a different post.

Kevin

 

[03L4RUNNER]

I just wanted to follow up in case someone else comes looking for this information in the future.

I had to take the steering knuckle off my truck. I didn't have to disconned the axle shafts to do this. Due to the salt used on the roads around here the bearing was stuck into the steering knuckle. I used a press to get it back out but it was a pain to figure out how to support the knuckle with the dust shield on there. After I got everything apart and clean I pressed the bearing onto the wheel hub and then just bolted the bearing onto the steering knuckle. The bearing slid right into the steering knuckle.

If you live down south you should be able to just use a rubber mallet and knock the bearing and hub off the knuckle to disassemble it.

Everything is back together and running well now. Except for the rear hatch, but that's a different post.

Kevin

Here is my thread on Toyota120, I added pictures and some instructions


http://www.toyota120.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7649

 

[03L4RUNNER]

And i live down south, , deep south in georgia, and it took more than a mallet to get the bearing off:yesyes: