Changing out a Wheel bearing! (How to)

Ok, I am putting this thread together cause I've looked everywhere on how to change out a wheel bearing. So I decided to put one together and after hours and days of learning how to do so and running into problems. I am finally done with the finish product. (I used my 1995 Tacoma to change out the bearings, but I am sure that this could be a guidance for the 2nd Gen's.)

So after taking off the tire I started on the brakes.


I tied up the breakpads to keep stress off the line and keep it out of the way


I have Manual locking hubs, make sure its in the free position. If you don't have manual locking just make sure you're out of 4wheel drive, and there will be a cap after you take off the cover.


Next comes this, The Red arrows are where you may have to bang the hell out of those screws with a brass hammer or a brass pin. This was the second hardest thing to do. once you bang it loose the cone shape washers will pop out.(The next pic I will show)
The Yellow arrow is where you need to unscrew the bolt out before you can take it down further.


Now the next part after taking off the silver star piece (I am horrible with technical names)
you'll come to exposing the axle spindle



This was the hardest for me. That retaining pin was a bitch.

If you haven't taken of the disc brakes yet then go ahead and do so.
Now the next step is to take of the whole knuckle. You'll need to unscrew 4 screws on the bottom where it connects to the lower control arms. Then disconnect the upper control arm.



Now you'll have the Whole knuckle out

After much searching for a special socket, I found one From MatCo Tools. This socket fits in these holes


Also The Yellow Outline is where a seal was, You'll have to get one of those for the front and back of the wheel bearings.


I put the knuckle in my wheel to brace it better when unscrewed it.


Now the final step is to Press out the old bearings and put in the new ones.

I had to go to a machine shop and get it pressed out and the new ones pressed in.
Then just backtrack everything and put it back together. Hope this helps out


Note: use a torque wrench to tighten in the wheel bearing socket nut at 203 ft lbs.
I re-packed the grease in the bearings, Only was able to get one side of the bearings off to re-grease it.
Be easy on the bolts and screws, I sheared off one.

 

Nice write up! +1

This should be added to the "DIY" thread.


Question,

are the steps similar for non-lockable hubs?
and how much was the tool?

 

Ya didn't cross my mind, thought having it in the wheels and tires thread where a little bit more specific.

The non-lockable hubs should be the same.

 

Nice, Can you tell us the part # for the tool so we can buy it in advance?
thanks

 

The Tool for me was $82 I had to go to a MatCo dealer, but you could order one online or better yet, try and borrow one. cause changing out a wheel bearing is like a onetime deal. here is a link for one online that looks like mine.
https://www.google.com/shopping/pro...=UYwEUbnhEtTXiALymYHYDQ&sqi=2&ved=0CF0Q8wIwAg

 

Hey great write up. Your right about those cone washers.

 

Not much guidance for the 2nd gen , just did mine last month on my 06 . Great write up for all the 1st gens. Btw 2nd gen was much easier than this looks (no special tools required).

 

Thanks, This was a bitch cause I had over 200k on my truck. Alot of bolts and screws were stuck.

 

excellent write-up, man! this is a huge reason i love this site...

 

Thanks. I'd figure, I would help out by writing this up.

 

Nice work.

 

Been there! That tool was freaking expensive. 70 dollars. Did you torque it to spec? Luckily my neighbor/mechanic had a really accurate torque wrench that went that high!

 

ya, I was working in a Auto Shop and they had all the tools I needed.

 

I wish this was posted about three months earlier. It would have made my week a lot easier. Great write up.

As for the 4-pin axle nut, I also set my hub back in the rim and used a pipe wrench to take it off and put back on on. I didn't have a torque wrench that could torque to the specs but just cranked it down as snug as possible and then backed it off a quarter turn. So far, it has worked out. I will be adding a 4-pin socket to my toolbox.

 

sub'd

 

Does it make a difference which side of the bearing is pressed into the steering knuckle of a 1st gen 4x4 without freewheel hubs?

 

The wheel bearings on the 1st gen only go in one way. Regardless of the type of hubs.

 

I wasn't specific enough. The new OEM bearings for a Tacoma with ADD seal is metal on one side, and plastic on the other. What I meant to say is what side of the bearing is towards the engine. I suspect the metal side.
Thanks for the earlier reply.

 

I hadn't really noticed that myself. I haven't installed one incorrectly so far, and never recall noticing that one side was different than the other. Maybe one brand is different than the other? Not sure.

 

Is any difference between the 2 wheel drive PreRunners vs this 4 wheel drive write up? I cannot find any information or write-ups on a 1st gen PreRunner 2wd front bearing replacement.