[Michael58]

I was recently told that to change 1 side front wheel hub/bearing assembly that it would be 600.00. Knowing a bit about the mechanical end of a wrench, I investigated the procedure. I did the entire job, including clean up in about 2 hours. My cost for both sides was 380.00. That price includes buying the 36mm socket to remove the axle nut. So, if you need to get this done, try it yourself, if not then find someone with some mechanical ability and a decent set of metric tools. I saved myself 880.00 on the venture.

A member of this forum gave me some needed insight into the procedure, I wish I could remember the name and thank him/her.

 

[RobsG6]

Have you had a lot of trouble getting the axle nut off, that is where I stand right now, its a bugger....

 

[Michael58]

I used an electric impact wrench to get the nut off. I placed an old style tire iron to hole the hub from spinning and then the impact took the nut off without any problem. I went and purchased a 36mm hub socket from O'reillys and the rest was not very difficult. I did take the tire off as the socket would not fit through the center hole in the wheel. Rent a hub puller to get the hub off the shaft if you don't have access to one. It makes life a lot simpler.

 

[gface2k]

LOL, I had the dealership do one side along with the control arm, it was something stupid like $900. For the other side I did it my self with a buddy. Its not all that difficult, there is a how to on the other website. Also might as well do control arm cause by the time you hub bearing wears out the control arm joint should be about done.

On another note the our car was definitely not designed by smart engineers, wait to you try to remove the driver side control arm to see what I'm talking about.

 

[Abman]

......On another note the our car was definitely not designed by smart engineers, wait to you try to remove the driver side control arm to see what I'm talking about.

I'm about to change the wheel bearing on my 2006, what do you mean by removing the control arm,,,, is it a difficult ??

 

[g6_gt06]

Just a question. Is it better to just replace the axle assembly rather than just the bearing?

 

[Kniggit]

On most front wheel drive cars the bearing is not going to come with the CV (axle) and so the answer is no.

 

[RobsG6]

I'm about to change the wheel bearing on my 2006, what do you mean by removing the control arm,,,, is it a difficult ??

The control arm doesn't need to be changed to change the wheel bearing. It is just suggested.

 

[Michael58]

I didn't change the control arm when I replaced the bearings. IF the control arm bushings are bad, when the bearing is off makes it a lot easier seeing that you already have the car up. IT doesn't need to be done unless they are bad. The two are totally different. A good "pickle fork" will help if you really need to change the control arms. I have that scheduled for my 06, but I am putting it off for a little while.