[Chazwel]

First off hello to everyone. I searched for the answer to my question on here and the web in general on how to replace the rear bearing on a 1997 rav4. What I found seems pretty easy, take the wheel off, take the brake drum off, remove the 4 bolts holding the wheel bearing assembly and the brake assembly off. This is where I am getting confused thus the questions. When I took the 4 bolts off the wheel bearing it does not just pull off and when I tried to tap it off with a hammer and piece of cooper. The entire brake/wheel bearing came off with just the brake line holding in on. :headbang:
My question is:

Should the wheel bearing assembly pull out easy with the 4 bolts removed?

If not, maybe the wheel bearing damage is preventing an easy disassembly and what is the easiest way to disassemble?

Do I have to break the brake line from the brake assembly to remove the wheel bearing and how is the wheel bearing assembly connected to the brake assembly?

I plan on buying the wheel bearing assembly with the wheel stubs installed and not just the bearings so if I can get the old wheel bearing off it should be cake.

Thanks for any help....................:thumbsup:

I plan on taking pics and posting on here to help others.

 

[TacoMike45]

chazwel, it sounds like the hub-bearing assembly is rusted to the backing plate.the backing plate is what the brake shoes and wheel cylinder is mounted to. you do not have to discount the brake line. spray some pb blaster or other rust solvent on the area where the bearing flange meets the backing plate and let set for a while,then hold the backing plate firmly and knock hell out of the hub-bearing assembly and it should come right off. when you get ready for your hub-brg assemblies let me know,i can offer you oem parts through our toyota dealer for 150.83 each plus actual shipping charges,not inflated.the list price on these assemblies is 215.46 each.hope this helps!
oolagotz

 

[Chazwel]

Thanx for the info Gotz...........Will try this week and let you know about the parts.

 

[OzRav]

The hub and bearing are removed together as a unit...Here is what the book says...

If you are working on a 1996 or 1997 2WD model, or 2000 or earlier 4WD model, the brake backing plate is removed along with the hub and bearing. If you are working on a 1998 to 2000 2WD model, refit one of the bolts to hold the brake backing plate in place.

The next part includes this quote...

On 1996 or 1997 2WD or 2000 and earlier 4WD models.... Due to the special tools required to do this, you'll have to take the hub and bearing assembly to a specialist and have the old bearing pulled off the hub and a new bearing pressed on.

I hope that is of help

 

[TacoMike45]

Chaz,sorry for the wrong info.i should have read instead of asking tech.my bad!

 

[Chazwel]

All right. I completed the rear wheel bearing installation and here are a few notes to those who may attempt this. As I stated before its not that hard. First the reason I could not get the old wheel bearing off is it was rusted to the brake housing. I had to drill and tap the middle of the wheel bearing assembly, then using a slide hammer, it came right off. The really tough part was getting it back on. You have to hold a spacer that is located behind the brake housing, the brake housing , and the new wheel bearing all at the same time while trying to line up the bolt holes. I had to back off of in a couple times or something bad was going to happen. I thought about it for awhile and decided to put some silicone on the face of the spacer and put it in place (against the A-frame) with the bolt holes lined up, install the bolts and let it sit until it held in place without the bolts, about 5 minutes. That helped alot. Than I carefully installed the brake housing and new wheel bearing. Installed the 4 bolts and it was done. The spacer is the key. It kept falling out of place without using silicone, you can also use form a gasket, anything to hold it a place. Then when you install everything the silicone is not fully cured so when you tighten the 4 bolts it sqeezes the silicone out.

Hope this helps...............:thumbsup: