mt8667

After searching the forums, I can't seem to get a clear answer to whether or not a press is required to change the front wheel bearing/hub assembly on an '06 4.2. If anyone who has done this before could shed some light on this, I'd really appreciate it!

Fastbird

Yes. The hub needs to be pressed out of the old bearing (you'll need a cutoff wheel or a race puller as the bearing race will most likely go with the hub) and needs to be pressed into the new bearing.

newa6er

I have had shops press bearings or bushing for me for like $20 a pair

How did you know the front bearing is bad? I think mine going out...

mt8667

faint rumbling, like tire noise, coming from FR wheel. Sound in increases with speed. Doing rotors and pads tonight, ordered a wheel bearing/hub assembly and figured i'd try that while its apart.

Fastbird

While you've got it up in the air, before removing the tire, grab the coil spring with one hand and spin the wheel. You'll feel the rumble in the spring if the bearing is bad.

newa6er

nice trick, i'm gonna try that

mt8667

I'll try that as well! A few of the write ups I've seen show it is just a matter of removing the 4 bolts that hold the hub/bearing assy in and installing the new one.

Fastbird

Straight out of elsawin.

Pressing out the hub from the bearing:



Putting hub into new bearing.



This would be easy to accomplish with a $90 12 ton harbor freight press. May be more beneficial to purchase that and a bearing for $40-60 than pay a shop to do it.

mt8667

Wheel bearing install complete, and it fixed the problem! No more loud rumbling. You definitley need a press, but easy otherwise. Took out cv joint/ shroud and was able to access bearing. Thanks to all for the helpful input!

newa6er

did you have to remove the upper control arms to get the hub out?