This procedure covers removal and replacement of the front wheel bearing hub assembly on a 2012-2018 Jeep Wrangler JK with the 3.6L V6 engine and 4WD.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front wheel bearing hub assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Axle nut (new) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
2. Loosen wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground
3. Loosen the 32mm axle nut while vehicle is on ground (break torque only, do not remove)
4. Raise and support vehicle on jack stands at frame rails
5. Remove wheel and tire assembly completely

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove ABS wheel speed sensor
   Locate the ABS wheel speed sensor on the back of the steering knuckle. Remove the mounting bolt and carefully extract the sensor from the bore. Route the wiring harness clear of the work area and secure it to prevent damage.
   Torque spec

   ABS Sensor Bolt10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove axle nut
   With the vehicle weight off the wheel, completely remove the 32mm axle nut that was previously loosened. This nut is staked into the axle shaft groove and may require additional force. Discard the old nut as it cannot be reused.
   ⚠The axle nut must be replaced with a new one. Do not reuse the old staked nut.
   Torque spec

   Axle Nut250 Nm (184 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Disconnect CV joint from axle flange
   Mark the orientation of the CV joint to the front axle flange with a paint marker or scribe. Remove the three CV joint bolts connecting the inner CV joint to the axle shaft flange. Support the halfshaft to prevent it from hanging on the outer CV joint.
   ℹ️Marking the CV joint orientation helps maintain drivetrain balance during reassembly.
4. 4

   Separate halfshaft from hub
   Pull the steering knuckle outward while pushing the axle shaft inward through the hub bearing. The shaft should slide free from the hub splines. If resistance is encountered, use a soft-face hammer to tap the end of the shaft while pulling the knuckle outward. Secure the halfshaft out of the way with mechanic's wire.
5. 5

   Remove brake caliper and rotor
   Remove the two brake caliper bracket bolts and remove the caliper assembly. Support the caliper with mechanic's wire or a bungee cord - do not let it hang by the brake hose. Remove the brake rotor from the hub. If the rotor is stuck, use penetrating oil and light hammer taps to break it free.
   ⚠Never allow the brake caliper to hang by the rubber brake hose as this can damage the hose internally.
6. 6

   Remove hub bearing assembly
   From the backside of the steering knuckle, locate and remove the three hub bearing mounting bolts. These bolts are accessed from behind the knuckle. Once all bolts are removed, pull the hub bearing assembly straight out from the front of the knuckle. If stuck, use a plastic mallet to tap the hub from behind while pulling from the front.
   ℹ️The hub bolts are installed from the rear of the knuckle and may be difficult to access depending on steering angle. Turn the knuckle as needed for better access.
   Torque spec

   Wheel Bearing Hub Bolts110 Nm (81 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Clean mounting surfaces
   Thoroughly clean the hub mounting surface on the steering knuckle using a wire brush. Remove all rust, dirt, and debris from the bore and the mounting face. Clean the ABS sensor bore as well. Apply a thin coat of anti-seize to the outer diameter of the new hub bearing where it contacts the knuckle bore.
8. 8

   Install new hub bearing assembly
   Position the new hub bearing assembly into the steering knuckle from the front, ensuring the ABS tone ring (if equipped) is oriented correctly. From the backside of the knuckle, install the three new hub bolts and hand-tighten. Torque the hub bolts in a star pattern to specification.
   Torque spec

   Wheel Bearing Hub Bolts110 Nm (81 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Reinstall brake rotor and caliper
   Install the brake rotor onto the hub. Reinstall the brake caliper and bracket assembly and torque the caliper bracket bolts to specification per the brake service procedure. Ensure the caliper moves freely and brake pads are properly seated.
10. 10

    Reconnect halfshaft to hub and axle
    Guide the axle shaft through the hub bearing splines, pulling the knuckle outward as needed. Align the inner CV joint to the axle flange using the alignment marks made during disassembly. Install the three CV joint bolts and torque to specification in a star pattern.
11. 11

    Install new axle nut
    Install the new 32mm axle nut onto the axle shaft threads. Do not fully torque at this time - just snug the nut hand-tight. The final torque will be applied with the vehicle on the ground.
    Torque spec

    Axle Nut250 Nm (184 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Reinstall ABS sensor
    Clean the ABS sensor tip with a clean cloth. Apply a small amount of dielectric grease to the sensor bore if desired. Insert the ABS sensor into the bore in the knuckle and install the mounting bolt. Torque to specification. Reconnect the sensor wiring harness.
    Torque spec

    ABS Sensor Bolt10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reinstall wheel and final torque axle nut
    Install the wheel and tire assembly and hand-tighten the lug nuts. Lower the vehicle to the ground. Torque the wheel lug nuts in a star pattern to specification. Apply the parking brake and torque the axle nut to specification. After torquing, use a punch and hammer to stake the axle nut collar into the axle shaft groove to prevent loosening.
    ⚠The axle nut must be staked after torquing to prevent it from loosening during operation. Use a punch to deform the nut collar into the axle shaft groove.
    Torque spec

    Axle Nut250 Nm (184 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Torque all fasteners to specification in the order presented
2. Ensure the axle nut is properly staked after final torquing
3. Verify the ABS sensor is fully seated and the wiring is secured away from moving components
4. Check that the brake caliper operates freely before test driving

Verification

• Perform a visual inspection of all connections and verify all fasteners are tight
• Rotate the wheel by hand to ensure smooth rotation with no binding or unusual noise
• Test drive the vehicle at low speed and verify no vibration, noise, or ABS warning lights
• After test drive, re-check the axle nut torque and verify the staking is intact
• Check for any fluid leaks around the CV joint area

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