Wheel Bearing - Press-In Front

Remove the front wheel, brake caliper, brake rotor, and hub assembly to press out the old wheel bearing and press in a new bearing using a hydraulic press.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front wheel bearing × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Hub bearing seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Axle nut × 1 — Use new OEM nut
• Cotter pin × 1 — Match axle nut specification
• Brake caliper mounting bolts (if damaged) × 2 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake.
2. Loosen front wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on the ground.
3. Loosen but do not remove the front axle nut while vehicle is on the ground (requires 36mm socket and significant force).
4. Raise front of vehicle and support securely on jack stands at manufacturer-specified lift points.
5. Remove front wheel completely.

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove ABS wheel speed sensor
   If equipped with ABS (verify — many 2003-2006 Vipers do not have ABS), locate the ABS wheel speed sensor mounted on the steering knuckle. Disconnect the electrical connector by releasing the locking tab. Remove the single mounting bolt securing the sensor to the knuckle. Carefully withdraw the sensor from its bore, taking care not to damage the sensor tip or allow contamination into the bore. Secure the sensor and wiring out of the work area.
   Torque spec

   ABS Sensor Bolt11 Nm (8 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove brake caliper
   Remove the two brake caliper mounting bolts from the rear of the caliper bracket. Slide the caliper off the rotor and support it with mechanics wire or a bungee cord from the suspension. Do not allow the caliper to hang by the brake hose, as this can damage the hose internally.
3. 3

   Remove brake rotor
   Remove the brake rotor from the hub. If the rotor is seized to the hub due to corrosion, use a rubber mallet to tap around the hat section of the rotor to break it free. Some rotors may have set screws holding them to the hub; remove these first if present. Set the rotor aside.
4. 4

   Disconnect steering linkage
   Locate the outer tie rod end where it connects to the steering knuckle. Remove the tie rod end retaining nut (verify whether castle nut with cotter pin or self-locking nut per OEM). Use a tie rod end separator or pickle fork to separate the tie rod end taper from the knuckle. Take care not to damage the tie rod boot during separation.
5. 5

   Separate lower ball joint
   Locate the lower ball joint connection at the base of the steering knuckle. Remove the ball joint retaining nut (verify whether castle nut with cotter pin or self-locking nut per OEM). Use a ball joint separator or pickle fork to break the taper between the ball joint stud and the knuckle. Support the lower control arm as you separate the joint to prevent sudden dropping.
6. 6

   Remove axle nut and hub assembly
   Completely remove the axle nut that was loosened during preparation. With the steering knuckle now free from suspension components, remove the steering knuckle and hub assembly from the vehicle. Note that the front is non-driven (RWD), so there is no driveaxle passing through the front hub. Place the assembly on a clean workbench. Remove the entire steering knuckle and hub assembly from the vehicle and place on a clean workbench.
   Torque spec

   Axle Nut250 Nm (184 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove hub from knuckle
   Inspect the rear of the hub assembly for a snap ring retaining the bearing in the knuckle bore. If present, use internal snap ring pliers to remove it. Position the knuckle assembly on a hydraulic press with the hub facing downward. Use the appropriate press adapter to contact the outer edge of the inner bearing race only. Press the hub out of the bearing, leaving the bearing races in the knuckle. If the inner race comes out with the hub, remove it separately.
8. 8

   Remove bearing races from knuckle
   With the hub removed, position the knuckle so the bearing is accessible from both sides. Use a brass drift or bearing race driver to tap around the outer race from the back side, working in a circular pattern to drive it out evenly. Remove both inner and outer races and any seals. Thoroughly clean the bearing bore in the knuckle with brake cleaner and a wire brush, removing all old grease and corrosion.
9. 9

   Press new bearing into knuckle
   Inspect the knuckle bearing bore for damage or scoring. Apply a light coat of anti-seize to the bore if desired (avoid getting any on bearing surfaces). Position the new bearing squarely at the bore entrance. Place the knuckle on the hydraulic press with the bearing facing downward. Use a press adapter that contacts only the outer race of the new bearing. Press the bearing into the knuckle bore until it is fully seated against the internal stop or shoulder. If a snap ring is used, install it once the bearing is fully seated. Install the new bearing seal on the inboard side of the bearing, pressing it into place squarely.
10. 10

    Press hub into new bearing
    Inspect the hub for damage, paying particular attention to the CV axle spline bore and the bearing mounting surface. Clean the hub mounting surface thoroughly. Position the knuckle with the bearing installed onto the hydraulic press, with the bearing facing upward. Align the hub with the bearing inner race and lower it into position. Use a press adapter that contacts only the inner race of the bearing (through the hub). Press the hub into the bearing until the hub is fully seated. Do not contact the bearing rolling elements or outer race during this operation.
    ⚠The press adapter must contact only the inner bearing race. Pressing on the hub flange or outer race will destroy the bearing.
11. 11

    Verify bearing installation
    With the hub pressed into the bearing, check for proper seating by attempting to rock the hub relative to the knuckle. There should be no perceptible play. If a dial indicator is available, mount it to measure radial runout of the hub flange; runout should be minimal (typically less than 0.05mm). Rotate the hub by hand to verify smooth rotation with no binding or roughness.
12. 12

    Reinstall knuckle and hub assembly
    Reinstall the hub and knuckle assembly to the vehicle, positioning it to reconnect the suspension components. Position the knuckle so the lower ball joint and tie rod end can be reconnected. Install the lower ball joint stud into the knuckle and install a new castle nut. Torque the ball joint nut to specification and install a new cotter pin. Connect the outer tie rod end to the knuckle, install the castle nut, torque to specification, and install a new cotter pin.
13. 13

    Install axle nut
    Verify the hub is fully seated and retained per the OEM front hub retention method (this non-driven front hub does not use a driveaxle spindle nut). Confirm any snap ring or retaining fasteners are correctly installed.
    Torque spec

    Axle Nut250 Nm (184 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Reinstall ABS sensor
    Clean the ABS sensor bore in the knuckle with brake cleaner. Apply a thin coat of anti-seize to the sensor body (not the tip). Insert the ABS sensor into the knuckle bore and install the mounting bolt. Reconnect the electrical connector, ensuring it clicks securely into place. Route the wiring as originally configured, using any clips or ties to secure it away from moving components and heat sources.
    Torque spec

    ABS Sensor Bolt11 Nm (8 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Reinstall brake rotor and caliper
    Slide the brake rotor onto the hub. If set screws were present, reinstall them. Position the brake caliper over the rotor and align it with the mounting bracket. Install the caliper mounting bolts and torque them to specification. Pump the brake pedal several times to restore proper caliper piston position before moving the vehicle.
16. 16

    Install wheel and final torque axle nut
    Install the wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern. Lower the vehicle until the wheel contacts the ground but the suspension is not fully loaded. Torque the wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern. Verify all front hub retaining fasteners are torqued to OEM specification per the service manual for this non-driven front hub. (No front driveaxle/spindle nut is present on this RWD vehicle.) Lower the vehicle completely. Note: Socket set (verify front hub fastener sizes per OEM; no driveaxle nut on non-driven front hub)
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts142.4 Nm (105 lb-ft)

    Axle Nut250 Nm (184 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Torque all fasteners to specification in the order described.
2. Use new cotter pins for all castle nuts; never reuse old cotter pins.
3. Ensure ABS sensor wiring is properly routed and secured away from rotating components and heat sources.
4. Pump brake pedal until firm before attempting to move vehicle.
5. Apply anti-seize compound to brake rotor hub mating surface to facilitate future removal.

Verification

• Test drive the vehicle at low speed and verify no abnormal noise, vibration, or grinding from the front wheel area.
• Check for proper ABS function by verifying the ABS warning light turns off after starting the vehicle.
• After 50-100 miles, re-torque the wheel lug nuts and axle nut to specification.
• Jack up the front of the vehicle and check for any wheel bearing play by attempting to rock the wheel at 12 and 6 o'clock positions; there should be no perceptible movement.
• Verify proper brake operation and that the caliper is functioning normally with no leaks.

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