I need to replace the front left hub/wheel bearing assembly. I watched this youtube video and at 4:00 when he is ready to remove it, he pulls it right out. I always thought these things were pressed in. I plan on doing this tomorrow and I'd like to know for sure that its gonna come right out. I did this job on my Toyota Camry and I had to beat the old one out and had to have a shop press in the new one. Has anyone here done this before. Just looking for some confirmation before I get started. Thanks.

 

I've never seen one fall out that easy but I'm in NY and everything is always rusty. A few whacks with a hammer should persuade it to do what you need it to do. Also a few taps in on the axle will help and give more access to the bolts on the back of the spindle. Its best to use a brass hammer or punch so as not to damage the axle threads.

 

The hubs are not pressed on, they pull off. Before hitting the end of the axle, be sure to leave the nut on but backed off all the way so it is flush with the end of the axle. This will protect the threads from hammer damage. If it is one of those nuts with a wide side like a washer, then for those I like to put them on backwards and flush with the end. It just offers a wider protection area. Once the nut is in place, lay a 2x4 across it and give it a good whack with a sledge hammer. I also prefer to turn the wheels to the left or right just so the impact is not driven straight back into the differential.

 

OK thanks for the replies. I got it done today. It turned into an ALL DAY job. It went pretty smoothly until I was ready to remove the 3 bolts and pull it out. I ended up rounding the heads of ALL 3 bolts. Tried and tried, they weren't budging. I ended up taking a grinder to the bolts very carefully. After that, I had to give the hub a few wacks with a hammer and it came out. Never seized the splines and threads and put it all back together. I was thinking I should do the other side before it goes bad, but after all that work, ehh I don't know, lol.

 

Ya know you can't escape from the terror of the other side.

 

The other side could go much easier if the 3 bolts come out and don't round off. Also, be sure to use a 6-point socket and not a 12-point one. That will lessen the chances of rounding off the head.

 

Yeah my sockets and combination wrenches are 12 pointers. I'll have to get some 6 point tools and spray pb blaster on the bolts a couple of days ahead before I do the other side.