did you have to grease the new bearings, I didn't see if you did or not? If you did grease them, did you have to take the assemly apart?
RustyInKentucky / Louisville, KY, UNITED STATES
Posted Jun 12 2008 08:53PM
I tried the 3-jaw puller. My bearing separated--the bearing pulled apart. I have to suggest people NOT use a puller or a slide-hammer if they plan to re-use the wheel hub/bearing assy. It basically pulls the race and seal from the ball chamber. Now that I have removed mine, I also see that we would never want to pound on the studded hub for basically the same reason. It will compromise the integrity of the bearing/race. I got lucky and was able to use that screwdriver as a wedge to hammer between the bearing mounting flange and the knuckle with very little damage to the brake splash plate (only a few nicks). I'll use that same tactic on the passenger side and I hope it works. If the hammer and wedge at the bearing's mounting flange doesn't work, it seems the only other acceptable method would be to remove the knuckle. I always prefer to use a puller to disengage the ball studs from the knuckle but if the axle shaft was still in place as a result of a stuck bearing in the knuckle, I couldn't fit a puller. I suppose I'd have to bang on the knuckle with big sledges. Maybe when the knuckle is released from the ball studs, the axle might come out with the knuckle? I don't know. If so, once the knuckle is removed, we could drift the bearing from the inboard side of the knuckle? I don't know. I hope I don't have to go that route.
Bill / Itasca, IL, UNITED STATES
Posted Oct 01 2008 01:12AM
That was very good instructions about the front wheel bearings. I have a Jeep cherokee sport and when I just start driving usually 5-10 mph I get a squeaking then it goes away, then I just get a grinding sound all the time straight, turning, reverse. I put the jeep in neutral while driving and it is still there. Now, when I make a sharp left turn, the grinding is really bad. Do you think that is the wheel bearings?
MI
Posted Oct 04 2008 12:03PM
Bill, I would definately have it checked out. Mine truck started making a grinding noise two days ago and last night I blew out the passenger side wheel bearing.
Dave / Sierra Vista, AZ
Posted Nov 15 2008 10:31PM
Great how-to and photos. all manuals should be so clear. What determines if bearings warrant replacment? What are the symptoms? I have a 99 XJ, with about 126,000 miles, with a low, dry grinding noise in the front that gets louder as speed increases. What do you think?
RealNYker / Naples, FL, UNITED STATES
Posted Nov 25 2008 10:19PM
Dave, that definitely sounds like a wheel bearing in need of replacement. Try not to let it go on too much longer, replace it soon. The end result of a bad wheel bearing is that wheel locking up while you are driving down the road, the hub could come apart and the wheel could fly off at highway speed.
Dave / Sierra Vista, AZ, UNITED STATES
Posted Dec 21 2008 10:17PM
I replaced the passenger side yesterday. All went well, fairly easy work, except, the drive axel didn't want to come out of the bearing! I sprayed everything with PB Blaster (the night before as well). The puller I had access to slipped, so, I had to use a large punch and a sledge. Eventually, it came apart. Took 1.5 hours, not including clean up. Went for a ride and... It worked! It's like a new car. When I go to do the other side, any suggestions as to where I should buy the other bearing?
MI, UNITED STATES
Posted Dec 29 2008 10:10PM
I suggest USA made Wheel Bearings. They are top quality, and have lasted a long time for me. You can purchase USA made Wheel Bearings and Hub Assemblies at http://mibearings.com (MIBearings LLC)
Luke / Traverse City, MI, UNITED STATES
Posted Apr 13 2009 07:16PM
Excellent How-to! I bought wheel bearings from http://mibearings.com and used this how-to to install them. Thanks!
Posted Oct 15 2007 07:17PM
