Front wheel bearings

[cj847]

I recently installed front wheel bearings in my 2004 vibe. This is not a job for the novice, but I thought I'd post a few comments/photo's for those who might feel like going for it.First, I'd say don't even attempt this unless you have access to a press. I have seen kits advertised that say you can press the bearings out while still on the car, etc. I find it hard to believe.Anyway, the "matrix service manual" covers the steps very well, this post is to talk about the problems you always run into (like when it states "remove part X" but gives no description of how to do it even though it is dam near impossible.Axle nut - The service manual will tell you to remove the axle nut after jacking the car up and removing the wheel. Note that this nut is torqued to about 160ft/lbs or so. It's a lot easier to remove while the weight on the car is on it. Beware of the detent in the nut, be very careful when bending this back out. It's easy to screw it up. This nut is supposed to be replaced any time it is removed, but I found no auto parts place that had them (they do come free with a new axle shaft). Anyway, I had to reuse mine.Pressing bearings - The key to pressing bearings is having a press and having the correct size fixturing to press them in and out. I had a harbor freight press, a bearing seperator, a 30mm socket (which you need for the axle nut), a 36mm socket, a few 2x4 and 1x4 wood blocks and was able to get the job done with only a medium amount of swearing.Seperating tie rod ends and ball joints - In my experience, a pickle fork is simply a devise to destroy your rubber boots. I use one of two methods. 1) Loosen nut, pry on joint while banging the side of the arm that holds the taper (this sets up a vibration that usually frees the tie rod) or 2) Remove the nut, turn in upside down and screw it down to perfectly even with the top of the stud, knock the crap out of it with a hammer.Attached are a few photos for your amusement.http://rides.webshots.com/phot...mgCsoh ... ot...qMZWm

[455SD]

Well done! I had to do this on my '03 - the one a deer killed 3 months later. I did not have a press, and ended up freezing the bearing, heating the knuckle, and still struggled after getting it half way installed. I will not attempt not do this again without a press.....i think I invented new swear words. The other tricky thing that I ran into was remmving the snap ring that retains the bearing - like it's needed. It had corroded and become one with the lock groove - PB Blaster and patience will free this up.Thanks for the write up and photo's The ones for fixture and press set up will be useful.