97 Camry Front Wheel Bearings

[lbraiderscb]

First post for me...have visited this site many times & always find good information. I'm looking for the PDF file that shows the steering knuckle/bearing exploded diagram. I've got all parts of my bearing out, but I think there may be 1 more race inside the knuckle cause my new bearing ain't gonna fit. Anybody install their own new wheel bearings?

Thanks,

lbraiderscb

[JohnGD]

The bearings run between the inner race and outer race. So 1/2 of the inner race came out with the hub? The other half usually remained with all the bearings and outer race. Sounds like you took out all the internals and the outer race is still in the knuckle?

Remove a snap ring from the inside and press out the outer race. Maybe a rental tool from parts store will help. I know O'Reilly's got them maybe others too. The set looks like:
http://www.harborfreight.com/fwd-fro...ers-66829.html

Not sure if this has the correct sizes however maybe bring the bearing and compare. Better yet take it to a machine shop for press work. About $30-40 each, just in case the outer race is rusted in.

[lbraiderscb]

Ya...Got it out...just used a bfh!

[JohnGD]

yeah that works.

When you persuade in the new bearing make sure to hammer on the outer race only and using the old outer race to drive it. And when installing the hub make sure the inner race is supported from the other end.

Borrow a 250 lb/ft torque wrench and socket from Autozone's free loaner program (with refundable deposit) and torque the axle nut to spec - this will help set the correct bearing preload and make it last. As you may have noticed the halves of the inner race are free floating, so the axle nut torque is very important for the longevity of the wheel bearing.