Front Wheel Bearings?

[Scottysize]

OK, I've read through the DIY listing and I've read as many posts as I could, as well as performed many searches on this site and others for Gen 4 Camrys. (I have a 1997 4 Cylinder Camry.) I own a Chilton's and looked it up there, but I cannot find anywhere that explains how to service/repack/replace the front wheel bearings. I've found many many places that talk about replacing the CV Joint, but I'm not ready to replace the CV joint. I'm replacing my pads and roters this week end, and I wanted to replace my bearings only. Not the races. Chiilton's says take it to a mechanic because they have to be pressed out. Nothing else. Is it possible to replace the wheel bearings on the front, or do I have to replace the entire CV joint? My boots are still good, so I'm not ready to replace the entire joint yet. If I have to take the joint off and press out the bearings, then I'm not doing that either. Has anyone replaced just their bearings while doing a brake job? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Scott

[donbryce]

Originally Posted by Scottysize

....I'm replacing my pads and roters this week end, and I wanted to replace my bearings only. Not the races. Chiilton's says take it to a mechanic because they have to be pressed out. Nothing else. Is it possible to replace the wheel bearings on the front, or do I have to replace the entire CV joint? My boots are still good, so I'm not ready to replace the entire joint yet. If I have to take the joint off and press out the bearings, then I'm not doing that either. Has anyone replaced just their bearings while doing a brake job? Any help would be appreciated.Thanks,
Scott

The bearing is a sealed unit (bearing and race), pressed into and out of the steering knuckle. The entire cast-iron knuckle has to be removed from the car first, big job, involving disconnect of all the attached parts (tie rod, lower ball joint, strut, CV/axle, etc.). Then, the lower ball joint itself and the axle hub need to be removed from the knuckle to allow it to be positioned in the press, another job requiring some special puller tools. If you get that far, and don't have a press, it's possible to use a large vise and some pipe to remove the old bearing and press in the new one.

[fenixus]

that's how it needs to be removed:
DIY - Front wheel bearing R&R

it comes off all together with a steering knuckle and hub. then you bring it to shop along with new bearing (and hub optionally, but recommended) which will remove old one out and press then new one in on a machine.

Originally Posted by Scottysize

OK, I've read through the DIY listing and I've read as many posts as I could, as well as performed many searches on this site and others for Gen 4 Camrys. (I have a 1997 4 Cylinder Camry.) I own a Chilton's and looked it up there, but I cannot find anywhere that explains how to service/repack/replace the front wheel bearings. I've found many many places that talk about replacing the CV Joint, but I'm not ready to replace the CV joint. I'm replacing my pads and roters this week end, and I wanted to replace my bearings only. Not the races. Chiilton's says take it to a mechanic because they have to be pressed out. Nothing else. Is it possible to replace the wheel bearings on the front, or do I have to replace the entire CV joint? My boots are still good, so I'm not ready to replace the entire joint yet. If I have to take the joint off and press out the bearings, then I'm not doing that either. Has anyone replaced just their bearings while doing a brake job? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Scott

[BMR]

Originally Posted by Scottysize

...I own a Chilton's and looked it up there, but I cannot find anywhere that explains how to service/repack/replace the front wheel bearings.

As others have said, the bearings are not serviceable. That is, there is no way to re-pack them with grease.

Just curious, why do you ask?... Does the car have symptoms of a bad wheel bearing?... or are you just wanting to service them like one would do back in the old days when that was normally done during a brake job?

[Scottysize]

Originally Posted by BMR

As others have said, the bearings are not serviceable. That is, there is no way to re-pack them with grease.

Just curious, why do you ask?... Does the car have symptoms of a bad wheel bearing?... or are you just wanting to service them like one would do back in the old days when that was normally done during a brake job?

There's a little noise when traveling down the road. Its a low... not really a grinding noise, but just a low noise coming from the right front. It could be the brakes. If not, then it'll have to make it until the end of the year, because I've got too much money invested now.

So, yes, I always repack the wheel bearings when replacing the brakes, but I guess not this time.

[fenixus]

easiest test is to raise front end off ground (if noise comes from one of front wheels) and put it on jack stands. it may be a good idea to loosen the lug nuts slightly before you raise it, you may need to remove wheels later, just remember to tighten them if you don't.

remember to set the e-brake on for safety.
shift the transmission into Neutral using override button.
try spinning front wheels with a hand. if it's hard to turn, then remove wheels and unbolt calipers and rest/hang them on strut tower and/or dust shield. back off or remove the brake pads from clips and secure the rotors with 2 or 3 lug nuts so they don't move around.

try spinning rotors/hubs again and see if it got better significantly, if yes then most likely your brakes are dragging, if not then oh well welcome to likely bearing failure world.

Originally Posted by Scottysize

There's a little noise when traveling down the road. Its a low... not really a grinding noise, but just a low noise coming from the right front. It could be the brakes. If not, then it'll have to make it until the end of the year, because I've got too much money invested now.

So, yes, I always repack the wheel bearings when replacing the brakes, but I guess not this time.

[Scottysize]

Thanks. I'll check it out when I replace the brakes this weekend. I now have some wheel bearings to sell, if anyone needs them. To late to send back as I ordered off Ebay.