99 Corolla hub replacement

[boots]

I have an American 1999 Corolla/1ZZFE, nothing special really. No ABS, so brake maintenance is so easy that even I can do it myself. I haven't done any other maintenance to the wheels on my own yet though. I'd like to give it a try and I'm looking for help.

I'd like to get the wheel bearings changed out, but understand that the hubs and bearings take special equipment to take apart and put back together.

I'm using a Haynes manual and it just being vague, stating that I'll have to take the hub/ bearing assembly to an auto shop to get the bearing pulled off and a new one pressed on. I don't really want to resort to this, but will if I must.

My biggest questions was this though: can I just remove the hubs and bearings while they're still put together? I see people selling them assembled already, are they hard to replace? I took a look at it and it looks like all I really have to do is remove the bearing (with hub still attached) from the axle carrier... and then replace them with a new hub and bearing unit?

Any help would be appreciated.

[retiredat44]

Why are you replacing them? Are they going bad?

[w203]

Huh? The bearings would be required to be pushed out. I'm not sure I understand what you mean by removing the hubs and bearing while still being together.

[boots]

Originally Posted by retiredat44

Why are you replacing them? Are they going bad?

There's about 120,000 miles on this car and I've noticed a little vibration at higher speeds. Everything else has been done to reduce or stop vibration to this point, new tires, alignment, shocks, everything. I don't want to pay for another car, when I can just run this one until it bursts into flames or dries into dust.

Originally Posted by Yo Dawg

Huh? The bearings would be required to be pushed out. I'm not sure I understand what you mean by removing the hubs and bearing while still being together.

I wanted to know if I could replace the bearings and hubs at the same time, without pulling the bearings off of the hub at a shop. It stated in my Haynes manual that 1996 and later models have to be replaced as a unit. It further states that I'll have to take the hub and bearing assembly to an auto shop to have the bearing removed with special tools.

I looked after initially posting this, I think that I'd probably have to take it someplace for the front-end, but for the rear... am I wrong in thinking that I could just remove the hub/ bearing assembly from the axle carrier and just replace it with parts already assembled?

Does anybody sell hub and bearing assemblies that I can just put on my car... without having to rebuild the hub with new bearings? If I'm going to go through the hassle of replacing the bearings, why not use new hubs too?

[OEMonkey]

If you are looking to replace the REAR wheel bearings, you have to replace the rear wheel bearing and hub at the same time. The REAR comes as a whole assembly (bearing/hub assembly.) You do not rebuild wheel bearings, you buy them brand new. You do not need any special tools or a press to replace the REAR wheel bearing/ hub unit assembly.

If you are looking to replace the FRONT wheel bearings, you will need to press out the hub, remove c clip, press out bearing. 2 seals will need to be replaced. If the hub is scored, it will also need to be replaced. Special tools(such as OTC hubtamer) or a shop press are required.

[boots]

Originally Posted by OEMonkey

If you are looking to replace the REAR wheel bearings, you have to replace the rear wheel bearing and hub at the same time. The REAR comes as a whole assembly (bearing/hub assembly.) You do not rebuild wheel bearings, you buy them brand new. You do not need any special tools or a press to replace the REAR wheel bearing/ hub unit assembly.

If you are looking to replace the FRONT wheel bearings, you will need to press out the hub, remove c clip, press out bearing. 2 seals will need to be replaced. If the hub is scored, it will also need to be replaced. Special tools(such as OTC hubtamer) or a shop press are required.

Thanks for the information.
Is there anywhere you know of that has detailed instructions on how to perform the front? I've been keeping this thing alive with a crappy Haynes manual and what little common sense I haven't lost yet.

[meicalnissyen]

IF you can get that big f'in nut off,,, yes the hub /bearing can go back as a unit

[OEMonkey]

Originally Posted by meicalnissyen

IF you can get that big f'in nut off,,, yes the hub /bearing can go back as a unit

That is untrue. The front hub and bearing are removed and installed separately. It is impossible to remove or install them as a unit.

[OEMonkey]

Originally Posted by boots

Thanks for the information.
Is there anywhere you know of that has detailed instructions on how to perform the front? I've been keeping this thing alive with a crappy Haynes manual and what little common sense I haven't lost yet.

Like I said, unless you have a shop press or a special tool (OTC Hub Tamer), you will be unable to correctly perform the repair for the FRONT. Just have a repair shop do the work or you can remove the FRONT knuckle and take it to a machine shop to have the bearings replaced.

[meicalnissyen]

Originally Posted by OEMonkey

That is untrue. The front hub and bearing are removed and installed separately. It is impossible to remove or install them as a unit.

OE is corect, my mistake i was thinkin the bearing was retained in the knuckle with a flange and that the only press work was bearing to hub