03 Corolla how i changed my front wheel bearings

[alligatorgar]

The 03 toyota corolla ce has pressed in front hubs that are pressed into the front wheel bearings that are then pressed into the knuckles. This means to change the front wheel bearings you will need to take the knuckles off and bring them to a shop that does their own pressing. (Note: the axle nut is a 12 star 30 mm use a deep well) (Note: the new axle O’Reilys sold me had a 32 mm 6 point nut on it use a deep well.) This can be tricky because there is a special press plate needed to press out the hubs. I brought mine to;
Margot
7700 Airline Hwy
Baton Rouge, La 70815
(225) 927-3700
This place is amazing they repair anything from a Toyota corolla to tractor trailers and school buses. Very impressive operation.
They pressed the bearings in for $55.00 each side.

I got the wheel bearings from O’Reilys.
510070 $32.99 ea.

While doing this job I went ahead and changed out the cv joints.
I got the cv from O’Reilys.
Left T08090 $60.99
Right T08092 $69.99
These joints come with the anti lock ring on them but its easy to use a punch to remove the ring. When installing the new cv put a little petroleum jelly around the shaft where the seal sits so it will slide smoothly on. You can rip the seal reinstalling the shaft if it is dry. Put anti seize on the cv shaft that has the splines for the hub it will make it easier to remove the hub in the future.

Getting the passenger cv joint out only required a pry bar and some muscle. (Drain the trans fluid before removing these shafts.)
Getting the drivers side out required much more. There is no where to pry from on the drivers side. I ended up tying two pieces of rope to the cv joint and attaching them to 2 15 pound dumb bells (I wish I had 50 lbs dumbbells it would have been easier). I gave it a few mighty yanks and the cv joint came flying out. I suggest you take off the strut if you do this and get the brake caliper high up out of the way. I had blankets in front of the cv joint so it would pad its landing. I ended up with a leak because the shaft end hit the seal on the way out. This seal is a breeze to change so don’t be scared to change them. out. I recommend changing these seals out considering how easy it is to change them. Cheap insurance so you don’t have to take everything apart again like I did. I used a seal removal tool purchased from harbor freight (it worked great). Just tap them in with a small block of wood.

O’Reily
Left 710109 $13.49
Right 710110 $8.49
Or
Toyota dealer
Left 1111190311-34023 $9.57
Right 1111190311-34026 $12.69

I’m an expert on this project now. Just a fyi before this project I had the front end alignment done and after doing this job I had it aligned again. It was not out of alignment so the shop tells me. It was still within spec. Just some food for thought.

[CJCride]

Nice Post, Thanks.

[Greasewrench]

that was a very informative post man, thanks. one question though did u have any difficulty reinstalling the driveaxles back into the differential side gears or did they just snap into place?

[alligatorgar]

03 toyota corolla ce 94,000 miles

NO you just wiggle them in place then give them a jolt into place. You know they went in when you pull out and they wont slide out. That part was really easy, you just have to be really careful with those seals. Just another tidbit to throw out there. I put a set of yokohama tires today. http://www.yokohamatire.com/tires/avid_trz.aspx

Avid trz 195 65 15. I wanted the 195 70 15 but they didnt have them in stock. The salesman tried to sell me on a set of 205 70 15 and even put them on the car but I rethought this and asked them to take them off even though they rode great. I didnt want to go against manf spec. If something where to happen I didnt want the lawyers/insurance to say I was negligent because I knowingly put on the wrong tires. Funny world we live in now. Somehow I dont feel free when these situations arise.

So I changed the struts monroe sensitrac, front wheel bearings, cv axle joints, drivers trans seal, front brake job including calipers, tires. Ill change out the lower ball joint and the inner outter tie rods at 100,000 miles

This car was riding terrible before all this work. The tires were cupping the ride was horrible and the front end was very noisy. This car drives like new now. I actually enjoy getting in it and taking it for a spin. Its much cheaper to do this to a used car than buying a new one and I enjoyed doing the work myself and saving the money to invest in more parts for the vehicle. The way I looked at it I bought twice as much parts because I saved on the labor. My corola is well on its way to the second 100,000 miles.