Wheel Bearing Replacement

[dfskinner]

Anyone replaced a wheel bearing on the front?

ABS sensor is not working; replaced sensor still not working. Dealer stated that it might be the wheel bearing. Getting ready to replace that, just wanted to know if anyone had changed one what to look out for, how hard, etc.... I've changed them on my Dodge Ram so it shouldn't be that hard, just looking for any tips, tricks, etc with the Mazda.....


Thanks,
dfskinner


Oh yea, when the dealer says "left front" which side would you think they were referring to?

 

[loosenut]

If you have a press, then it's something you can do. The bearing is pressed into the spindle and then the hub pressed into the bearing. There is a snap ring that must be removed after removing the hub, then the bearing can be pressed out of the spindle. The inner race of the bearing will come out with the hub and will need to be knocked off before reinstallation of the hub to the bearing. Make sure the tone ring side of the bearing is toward the sensor when reinstalling. The left front is in reference to if you were sitting in the driver's seat.

 

[thaxman]

I've done both sides (needlessly). Unless your ball joints and tie rod ends need to be replaced, don't use the pickle fork to separate the knuckle. BTW, the ball joints need to be pressed into the LCAs, so don't bust it or else the LCA has to come out too.
If I remember, once I got the impact gun it all went pretty easy, aside from busting the rubber joints. I couldn't get the hub nut off no matter what - cheater bar etc. until I got air tools involved. And we are rust free down here, so up in VA, I can imagine what you will be in for. So to get the steering knuckle off, you have to pull of the brake, disconnect the drive shaft by removing the hub nut, separate the LCA via ball joint, and remove the tie rod end. There will be a bolt and nut holding the knuckle to the strut. Once that's off, you should be able to move everything out of the way and pull the knuckle off the strut. At that point, I paid the $20 to have the bearing pressed in. 1 last thing: DON'T forget about the ABS sensor. When I did my brakes, I forgot to reattach the line and it got caught in the wheel. $60 used, $OMG new just for some wiring that has to be fed roundabout up into the fenderwell.

 

[chandlerGTi]

I had the dealer do mine, I dont have a press at home. They can ping the sensor to see if its bad before you needlessly change the bearing though.