Bearing Replacement

[lannvouivre]

I think my left front bearing is making some noise. I wanted to wait until I replace my rotors/pads to check it since raising the car up and putting it on jackstands always gives me the willies, so in the meantime...How do I replace the front bearings? I asked at GM and they said you have to replace the entire assembly because it is sealed, but obviously that's not true because KITT222 did his. Is it the same as doing one for a Corolla in the front?

[KITT222]

Should be. My dad had to do it for me, since I had to run to work, but he took the knuckle off, bought a new bearing, had a shop press out the old one and press in a new one. Don't wait too long. It'll become unbearable.

[bluneon]

get the car up on jack stands, make sure the front wheels are completely off the ground. then KOER (key on, engine running) transmission in D.

BE CAREFUL DURING THIS NEXT STEP as the wheels will be spinning:
compare the vibrations in the suspension from both sides in the front suspension, especially the spring in the strut. whichever side is vibrating the most is the side whose wheel bearing is failing. slaloming won't precisely tell you which side the bearing is failing, loading/unloading a side has different effects on different bearings.

once you've found out which bearing is bad, it's time to go shopping.

bearing, failed; seriously?
snap ring, not reusable
hub assy, reusable; up to you if you want to reuse
axle nut, not reusable

the steering knuckle will need to be separated from the vehicle, so its up to you if you want an alignment done to adjust camber.
press hub assy out, remove snap ring, press failed bearing out. press new bearing in, install snap ring, press hub assy in. reassemble vehicle.
the outer bearing race will be stuck to the hub assy after you press it out and if you wish to reuse it you'll need to press the race out before you can reinstall it to the new bearing. or you can save yourself the hassle by going w a new hub assy.

test drive, smile.

sounds like the gm dealer doesn't want to hassle w the labor involved and would rather swap out the knuckle. it's def easier and faster doing this, but it's all up to you.

[scrapinby]

I think my left front bearing is making some noise. I wanted to wait until I replace my rotors/pads to check it since raising the car up and putting it on jackstands always gives me the willies, so in the meantime...How do I replace the front bearings? I asked at GM and they said you have to replace the entire assembly because it is sealed, but obviously that's not true because KITT222 did his. Is it the same as doing one for a Corolla in the front?

Is your car still under the 5 year/100k powertrain warranty? I know the service manager at a local (formarly Pontiac) dealer. I asked her about the Vibes before I bought it. She said the only real problems with them are the bearings, but not to worry because they are covered under the powertrain warranty.