Remove and replace the press-in front wheel bearing on a 2015 Kia Forte by removing the knuckle assembly, pressing out the old bearing race, and pressing in a new bearing.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front wheel bearing assembly (press-in type) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Axle nut × 1 — Use OEM specification
• New cotter pin for axle nut × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Lower ball joint cotter pin (if applicable) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Wheel bearing grease × 1 — Multi-purpose lithium complex grease NLGI Grade 2

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Loosen front wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
3. Loosen but do not remove the axle nut (32mm) while vehicle is on ground - this requires significant force
4. Raise vehicle and support securely on jack stands at manufacturer-recommended lift points
5. Remove front wheel completely
6. Remove brake caliper and bracket assembly, support with wire - do not let caliper hang by brake hose
7. Remove brake rotor from hub

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove ABS wheel speed sensor
   Disconnect the ABS wheel speed sensor electrical connector. Remove the ABS sensor mounting bolt and carefully extract the sensor from the knuckle. Do not damage the sensor tip or tone ring on the hub. Set sensor aside in a clean location.
   Torque spec

   ABS Sensor Bolt10 Nm (8 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove axle nut and separate CV axle
   Fully remove the axle nut (previously loosened). Remove the cotter pin if equipped. Push the CV axle shaft inward slightly to break it free from the hub splines. If stuck, use a brass drift and hammer on the end of the axle shaft to break the taper, being careful not to damage the CV joint threads.
   ⚠Support the CV axle to prevent it from dropping and damaging the CV joint boot once separated from the knuckle.
   Torque spec

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

   Disconnect lower ball joint
   Remove the lower ball joint castle nut and cotter pin. Use a ball joint separator tool or pickle fork to separate the lower control arm ball joint from the steering knuckle. Apply pressure with the separator tool while tapping with a hammer to break the taper. Do not damage the ball joint boot.
4. 4

   Disconnect tie rod end
   Remove the tie rod end castle nut and cotter pin. Use a tie rod separator or pickle fork to separate the tie rod end from the steering knuckle. Note the position and count threads for reassembly alignment. Break the taper by applying pressure with the separator while tapping the knuckle boss.
5. 5

   Remove strut-to-knuckle bolts
   Support the knuckle assembly with one hand. Remove the two bolts securing the strut to the steering knuckle. These are typically large pinch bolts. Note the orientation of any alignment marks or eccentric washers for reassembly. Carefully remove the knuckle assembly with hub from the vehicle.
6. 6

   Remove hub bolts and separate hub from knuckle
   With the knuckle assembly on a workbench, remove the four hub mounting bolts from the back side of the knuckle. Use a soft mallet to tap the hub and bearing assembly out of the knuckle if it is tight. The bearing inner race may stay on the hub. If so, carefully cut or grind the race to remove it without damaging the hub.
   ⚠Inspect the hub mounting surface and ABS tone ring for damage. Replace hub if tone ring is cracked or mounting surface is scored.
   Torque spec

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

   Remove bearing outer race from knuckle
   Inspect the knuckle bearing bore. Use a hydraulic press with appropriately sized bearing race driver or mandrel to press out the old bearing outer race from the knuckle. Press from the backside, ensuring even pressure. Clean the bearing bore thoroughly with brake cleaner and wire brush. Inspect bore for damage, cracks, or scoring.
   ⚠If the knuckle bearing bore is damaged, scored deeply, or out-of-round, the knuckle must be replaced. Installing a bearing in a damaged bore will cause premature failure.
8. 8

   Press new bearing into knuckle
   Apply a light coating of anti-seize to the knuckle bearing bore (outer surface only, not the bearing itself). Place the new bearing squarely into the knuckle bore. Using the hydraulic press with a bearing driver that contacts ONLY the outer race of the bearing, press the bearing into the knuckle until it is fully seated against the internal shoulder. Apply steady, even pressure. Verify the bearing is fully seated and sits squarely in the bore.
   ⚠️Never press on the inner race when installing the bearing into the knuckle. This will destroy the bearing. Press only on the outer race.
9. 9

   Install hub into new bearing
   Clean the hub splines and mounting surface. Apply a light coat of wheel bearing grease to the bearing inner race. Position the hub into the bearing from the front side of the knuckle. Using the hydraulic press with a driver that contacts the inner race of the bearing through the hub, press the hub into the bearing until fully seated. Verify the hub rotates smoothly without binding.
   ⚠️When pressing the hub into the bearing, press only on the inner race through the hub center. Pressing on the outer race at this stage will damage the bearing.
10. 10

    Install hub bolts
    Apply threadlocker to the hub bolt threads. Install the four hub mounting bolts from the back of the knuckle through to the hub. Torque the hub bolts in a crisscross pattern to specification to ensure even clamping force.
    Torque spec

    Hub Bolts97 Nm (71 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reinstall knuckle assembly to strut
    Guide the CV axle shaft through the hub while positioning the knuckle to the strut. Align the knuckle to the strut, ensuring any alignment marks or eccentric washers are in their original positions. Install the strut-to-knuckle bolts but do not fully torque yet. Reconnect the tie rod end to the knuckle and install a new cotter pin. Reconnect the lower ball joint to the knuckle and install a new cotter pin.
12. 12

    Install axle nut and final torque
    Ensure the CV axle is fully seated in the hub splines. Install the new axle nut and hand-thread it onto the CV axle shaft. Reinstall the brake rotor and caliper assembly. Install the wheel and hand-tighten lug nuts. Lower the vehicle until the tire just contacts the ground to prevent hub rotation. Torque the axle nut to specification, then install a new cotter pin through the axle shaft castellations. If no cotter pin holes are present, stake the nut collar into the axle shaft groove per manufacturer instructions.
    ⚠The axle nut must be torqued with the wheel on the ground or with the brakes applied to prevent hub rotation and ensure accurate torque.
    Torque spec

    Axle Nut250 Nm (184 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reinstall ABS sensor and final torque specifications
    Clean the ABS sensor mounting bore in the knuckle. Apply a thin coat of anti-seize to the sensor body (not the tip). Install the ABS sensor and torque the mounting bolt to specification. Reconnect the ABS sensor electrical connector. Fully raise the vehicle and torque the strut-to-knuckle bolts to manufacturer specification (refer to service manual for specific torque value). Torque wheel lug nuts in a star pattern to specification.
    Torque spec

    ABS Sensor Bolt10 Nm (8 lb-ft)

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Lower vehicle completely to the ground after all fasteners are torqued
2. Verify axle nut is properly secured with new cotter pin or staked collar
3. Check that brake caliper slides move freely and brake pads are properly seated
4. Pump brake pedal several times to ensure proper brake caliper piston seating

Verification

• Rotate the wheel hub by hand - it should spin smoothly without grinding, roughness, or excessive play
• Grasp the tire at 12 and 6 o'clock positions and attempt to rock it - there should be no vertical play indicating proper bearing installation
• Test drive vehicle at low speed and verify no abnormal noises, vibrations, or pulling
• Verify ABS warning light is not illuminated and ABS system functions properly during test drive
• After 50-100 miles of driving, re-torque wheel lug nuts and verify axle nut cotter pin or stake is still secure

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