Wheel Bearing - Press-In Front

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of a press-in front wheel bearing on a 2016-2021 Honda Civic with 1.5L turbo engine, including hub removal, bearing extraction, and installation.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front wheel bearing assembly × 1 — Use OEM Honda specification
• Axle nut × 1 — 90305-TBA-A01 or equivalent
• New cotter pin or stake washer × 1 — Match to axle nut type
• Brake caliper mounting bolts (if damaged) × 2 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and apply parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
3. Loosen lug nuts on the affected front wheel while vehicle is on ground
4. Loosen (but do not remove) the 32mm axle nut while vehicle is on ground with brakes applied
5. Raise front of vehicle and support securely on jack stands at manufacturer-specified jacking points
6. Remove wheel completely
7. Have hydraulic press and bearing adapters ready for knuckle work

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove brake caliper and rotor
   Remove the two brake caliper mounting bolts and carefully lift the caliper off the rotor. Support the caliper with wire or a bungee cord to prevent strain on the brake hose. Do not let it hang by the hose. Remove the brake rotor by pulling it straight off the hub. If stuck, use penetrating oil and tap gently with a rubber mallet.
2. 2

   Disconnect ABS sensor
   Locate the ABS wheel speed sensor on the back of the knuckle. Disconnect the electrical connector by pressing the release tab. Remove the ABS sensor bolt and carefully extract the sensor from the knuckle. Set aside in a clean location to prevent contamination.
   Torque spec

   ABS Sensor Bolt10 Nm (8 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove axle nut and separate CV axle
   Completely remove the 32mm axle nut that was previously loosened. Discard this nut as it must not be reused. Push the CV axle inboard through the hub to separate it from the hub assembly. If the axle is stuck, use a brass drift and tap gently on the end. Do not damage the CV joint threads.
   ⚠The axle nut is a one-time use component. Never reuse it.
   Torque spec

   Axle Nut250 Nm (184 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Separate lower ball joint and tie rod
   Remove the cotter pin and castle nut from the lower ball joint. Use a ball joint separator or pickle fork to separate the ball joint from the lower control arm. Remove the tie rod end castle nut and cotter pin, then use the separator to disconnect the tie rod from the knuckle. Avoid damaging the ball joint or tie rod boots.
   ⚠Pickle forks can damage ball joint boots. Use a proper ball joint separator tool when possible.
5. 5

   Remove knuckle from strut
   Locate the two bolts connecting the steering knuckle to the strut assembly. Mark the alignment position of the knuckle to the strut with a paint pen or scribe for reference during reassembly. Remove both bolts and separate the knuckle from the strut. The knuckle assembly with hub can now be removed from the vehicle.
6. 6

   Remove hub mounting bolts and extract hub
   With the knuckle on a workbench, locate the four hub bolts on the back side of the knuckle. Remove all four hub bolts. The hub assembly may be pressed in tightly. Using the hydraulic press with appropriate adapters, press the hub out of the wheel bearing from the front side. Support the knuckle properly to avoid damage during pressing.
   ⚠Ensure the knuckle is properly supported during pressing to prevent cracking or distortion. Press only on the hub, not the bearing inner race.
   Torque spec

   Hub Bolts97 Nm (71 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove bearing snap ring and press out old bearing
   Locate the snap ring inside the knuckle bore that retains the wheel bearing. Use snap ring pliers to remove the snap ring completely. Position the knuckle in the hydraulic press with the bearing facing downward. Use the appropriate bearing press adapter that contacts only the outer race of the bearing. Press the old bearing out of the knuckle bore, applying steady even pressure.
   ⚠Only apply press force to the outer bearing race. Pressing on the inner race or balls will damage the knuckle bore.
8. 8

   Clean and inspect knuckle bore
   Thoroughly clean the bearing bore in the knuckle using brake cleaner and a wire brush. Remove all rust, debris, and old grease. Inspect the bore for cracks, scoring, or damage. Check that the snap ring groove is clean and undamaged. If the bore shows significant damage or wear, the knuckle must be replaced.
9. 9

   Press in new wheel bearing
   Place the new wheel bearing into the knuckle bore, ensuring it is oriented correctly (sealed side typically faces outward). Position the knuckle in the hydraulic press. Using the proper bearing adapter that contacts only the outer race, press the new bearing into the bore with steady pressure until it is fully seated against the shoulder. Do not apply excessive force. Install the snap ring into its groove to retain the bearing.
   ⚠Press only on the outer race of the new bearing. Pressing on the inner race will destroy the bearing before installation is complete.
10. 10

    Press hub into new bearing
    Clean the hub mating surface and apply a light coat of anti-seize to the hub splines (not the bearing contact area). Position the hub into the bearing from the front of the knuckle. Using the hydraulic press with an adapter that supports the inner bearing race, press the hub into the bearing until fully seated. Press only on the inner race through the hub. Verify the hub rotates smoothly without binding.
    ⚠When pressing the hub in, support only the inner bearing race. Supporting the outer race during this step will damage the bearing.
11. 11

    Install hub bolts
    Install the four hub bolts from the back side of the knuckle. Apply thread locker to the bolt threads if specified by manufacturer. Torque the hub bolts to specification in a cross pattern to ensure even clamping force.
    Torque spec

    Hub Bolts97 Nm (71 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Reinstall knuckle to strut
    Position the knuckle assembly back onto the strut, aligning the marks made during disassembly to maintain original alignment. Install the two strut-to-knuckle bolts and torque to specification. This helps preserve the front end alignment settings.
13. 13

    Reconnect ball joint and tie rod
    Insert the lower ball joint stud into the lower control arm and install the castle nut. Torque to specification and install a new cotter pin. Connect the tie rod end to the knuckle, install the castle nut, torque to specification, and install a new cotter pin. Ensure both cotter pins are properly bent to prevent loosening.
14. 14

    Install CV axle and new axle nut
    Pull the CV axle outward and insert the splined end through the hub. Install the new axle nut and hand-tighten. Do not fully torque yet. Reinstall the ABS wheel speed sensor into the knuckle and torque the sensor bolt to specification. Reconnect the ABS sensor electrical connector.
    Torque spec

    ABS Sensor Bolt10 Nm (8 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Reinstall rotor, caliper, and wheel
    Slide the brake rotor onto the hub. Position the brake caliper over the rotor and install the caliper mounting bolts, torquing to specification. Install the wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts. Lower the vehicle until the tire just touches the ground to prevent rotation. Torque the axle nut to 250 Nm (184 lb-ft), then install a new cotter pin or stake the nut as specified. With the vehicle still supported, torque the wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern. Fully lower the vehicle and recheck lug nut torque.
    Torque spec

    Axle Nut250 Nm (184 lb-ft)

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Ensure all fasteners are torqued to specification, particularly the critical hub bolts and axle nut
2. Verify the new axle nut is properly staked or has a new cotter pin installed
3. Double-check that all ABS sensor connections are secure and the wiring is properly routed
4. Confirm the wheel lug nuts are torqued in a star pattern

Verification

• Test drive the vehicle at low speed and verify there are no unusual noises, vibrations, or grinding from the wheel bearing area
• Check that the ABS warning light does not illuminate, indicating proper ABS sensor function
• Perform a visual inspection to ensure no fluid leaks from the CV axle seal area
• Verify smooth steering operation with no binding or unusual resistance
• Have the front end alignment checked and adjusted if necessary, especially if alignment marks were not perfectly matched during reassembly
• After 50-100 miles, recheck the wheel lug nut torque

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

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