Front wheel bearing job - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

DTB500 · 03-07-2011, 05:07 PM

Vehicle: 2002 Camry SE V6

I am in the process of replacing the front wheel bearings and the first question I have is concerning the axle nut cover. Does this unscrew or do you pry it off? I have tried both ways after soaking it with PB Blaster and I have had no luck. This and any other advice or tips are appreciated.

Thanks
Dave

Donald E. George · 03-08-2011, 02:26 PM

My 2004 LE V6 doesn't have "an axle nut cover." When I take a front wheel off,I am looking at the axle hub nut.On the old rear wheel drive cars,those hub nut covers pried off. If yours is made to pry off,it will have a stop that you can get a [I hate to say this]screwdrive behind to remove the cover. I doubt any cover would screw on but anything is possiable. Regards.

profuse007 · 03-08-2011, 04:29 PM

haven't seen toyota or honda front wheel drive w/ axle nut cover.

Get a long 2'+ cheater/breaker bar but I never tried it, always had impact tool.

I hope you're just planning to take off the spindle and have the bearing repalced at a shop unless you have a press.

JSM1284 · 03-08-2011, 06:31 PM

Dont forget to relieve the peened portion of the axle nut before removing, or you will be buying a new axle after damaging the threads on the axle shaft. and you must replace the nut with a new one. Make sure you have a proper mounting fixture in your press, or you'll damage the new bearing, and hub.

Donald E. George · 03-09-2011, 11:27 AM

I believe that is a double row ball bearing. You want to press it in with pressure on the mounted[fixed] race which I believe would be the outer race. Just looking at the shop manual,that looks like a repair that requires special equipment. Keep us informed. Regards.

profuse007 · 03-10-2011, 11:57 PM

just curious, what ASE part are you certified?

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSM1284

Dont forget to relieve the peened portion of the axle nut before removing, or you will be buying a new axle after damaging the threads on the axle shaft. and you must replace the nut with a new one. Make sure you have a proper mounting fixture in your press, or you'll damage the new bearing, and hub.

JSM1284 · 03-11-2011, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by profuse007

just curious, what ASE part are you certified?

Master Technician. A1-A8 Engine repair, Automatic Trans, Manual Trans, Suspension and steering, Brakes, Electrical systems, HVAC, and Engine performance

DTB500 · 03-12-2011, 10:32 PM

Sorry, but I haven't been on the forum for a while. I got the axle nuts off. I was used to seeing the six-sided nuts found on older Camrys and thought I was looking at some kind of cover. After a little research, I discovered that Toyota started using the 12 point nuts with the detent. It was simply a case of me making incorrect assumptions. I had to go buy a 12 point deep well socket, though. In the future, what method would you guys suggest for popping up the detent? I used a small chisel.

Anyway, thanks for the feedback.

Donald E. George · 03-13-2011, 01:08 PM

You might want to consider replacing both fron hub bearings and going with new seals and shafts. Remanufactured shafts aren't that expensive and you will have new boots.Regards.

***isrb710*** · 03-26-2011, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DTB500

In the future, what method would you guys suggest for popping up the detent? I used a small chisel.

I used a center punch to pry it up on a 2002 Camry. Mine had about a 45 degree angle on it. (A mechanic recommended that after seeing the picture of the axle nut.) I broke a 1/4" chisel AND a screwdriver trying to pry it up.

After I finally got the "ping" bent up, I also broke an 18" Craftsman 1/2 ratchet that had served me for over 25 years! Luckily, Sears is repairing it. I wound up getting it off with a 1/2" air impact wrench. But even that took a while!

The rotor was next to foil my efforts. I used grade 8 3.5 inch 5/16" bolts through the caliper bolt holes to push it off the wheel hub. Put a nut on the end of the bolts to avoid serious damage to the rotor. Next time, I'll put some old carpet or cardboard in front of it to catch it. But it came out in good shape and appears to NOT be warped based on rotating a carpenters level on it.

How'd you get the other steering components and the brake splash shield off?

Thanks, Ron

***isrb710*** · 12-02-2011, 07:45 PM

I was reviewing the front wheel bearing job on www.alldatadiy.com and I remembered another stumbling block. The snap ring that holds the bearing in place was tough to get out. I used a lot of PB Blaster to loosen it up, then I took a hammer and a 16 penny nail to drive each side of the snap ring back and forth to break it loose. There's a hole on each end of the snap ring that the nailpoint fit in. Snap ring pliers wouldn't even come close to getting it out until I broke it loose with the hammer and nail. Once I got it to slide inside the steering knuckle, I was able to use the snap ring pliers to get it out.