Wheel hub assembly replacement is easy—at least, that’s what YouTube leads you to believe. But the job doesn’t always go smoothly in the real world, and I can personally attest to that.
Recently, I encountered a pair of exceptionally stubborn wheel hubs on my old Astro Van. The hub retaining bolts were fused in place from years of salt, corrosion and heat. And they were not about to let go without a fight.
Most repair shops would address this issue by heating the bolts with an oxyacetylene torch. But I’m not a repair shop and I don’t have a fancy-pants oxyacetylene torch. I had to resort to MacGyver-style trickery—namely, a far less powerful hand-held propane torch, along with penetrating oil and a breaker bar.
Several rounds of heating the bolt area with a torch, then cooling it with penetrating oil, helped break up 21 years of corrosion. Using a breaker bar, I was then able to loosen the bolts on the first wheel hub assembly.
The second hub assembly, however, proved more difficult. Its bolts retained their death grip on the steering knuckle, no matter what I tried. In the end, I opted to leave that hub on the vehicle since the old one wasn’t bad anyway. The unused replacement hub remains in my garage to this day.
Note: I shouldn’t have to tell you this, but torches are dangerous. And penetrating oil is flammable. So, if you decide to try this trick at home, follow the safety precautions on both products and proceed at your own risk.
Professional auto repair isn’t cheap. Most shops charge somewhere between $500 and $800 to replace a wheel hub assembly. The cost is well worth it, though, if you don’t have the tools, space, know-how or desire to do the job yourself.
Are you handy with a wrench? Then you can save some money by replacing the hub on your own. Expect to pay between $50 and $200 for the shiny new (or remanufactured) part.
The tools needed to replace a wheel hub vary, depending on what type of car you have. But, in general, you will need:
Your wheel hub assembly is what keeps your tire and wheel attached to your car. As such, you want to be 100% sure the replacement is done right. If you’re at all uncertain as to whether you’re up to the task, leave the job to a professional.
But if you know how to turn a wrench—and know how to do it safely—wheel hub assembly replacement usually isn’t too difficult. Unless, of course, the assembly is rusted and seized, like the one on my van. That’s when you’ll rue the day you took on the job yourself.
On some vehicles, the hub and bearing are two separate parts. In this article, however, we’ll focus on integrated wheel hub assemblies, which house both components together in a single unit. Our description outlines a typical replacement procedure on a front-wheel drive vehicle equipped with disc brakes.
Keep in mind: all vehicles are different. Be sure to follow the repair information for your specific application. Repair manuals, such as those from Chilton, are useful, but an ALLDATA subscription is even better. ALLDATA has single-vehicle subscriptions for DIYers that provide detailed factory repair information.
Note: The following is for educational purposes only. Consult the factory information for repair instructions and recommended safety precautions.
First and foremost, don’t jump to conclusions. Perform a thorough diagnosis to ensure the wheel hub assembly is faulty, or have a professional carry out the diagnostics for you. Because there are a lot of other problems that can mimic a faulty wheel hub assembly, you want a solid assessment before jumping in.
If the wheel hub assembly does indeed need to be replaced, there are a few tips to make the job easier. First, it’s a good idea to spray the hub bolts with penetrating oil the night before you start the repair. The longer the penetrant soaks in, the better it will work.
Also, it helps to have an air compressor and heavy-duty air impact wrench for this job. An air hammer with a socket adapter can also be useful for freeing stubborn hub bolts.
But the best advice is to expect a challenge – especially if you live in the Midwest or somewhere else that sees a lot of road salt in the winter. Although hub assembly replacement is straightforward in theory, years of accumulated rust and corrosion can make the job a trying experience.
Watch these videos for tips on how to replace your wheel hub bearing:
Unlike other parts, wheel hubs rarely get damaged. But when they do, you can expect your daily driver to sit in the garage until you’re able to resolve the issue.
Finding an exact replacement for your damaged wheel hub can be a troublesome task, but not if you go directly to CarParts.com for your shopping needs.
Our website makes it easy for car owners like you to find the right parts for your ride. Enter your car’s year, make, and model into our vehicle selector, and leave it to us to narrow down the search results to compatible wheel hub replacements for your ride.
We also take pride in our fast shipping services that you’ll surely love. Shop now, and we’ll deliver your new wheel hub straight to your doorstep in as fast as two business days. We have strategically located warehouses across the US, so you won’t have to wait long to get your vehicle up and running with its new wheel hub.
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Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.