Procedure E: Axle Bearing Replacement
DISASSEMBLYABS Rotor Ring Removal
1. Slide the Sleeve # J-25852-4 onto the Extension Tube # J-45073-12 (see Figure E1).
2. Install/turn the forcing screw # J-45073-13 into the end of the extension tube a couple of threads.
NOTE:
Apply Extreme Pressure Lubricant # J-23444-A to the Forcing Screw for smooth operation.
3. Now Slide the Extension Tube (with Sleeve) over the vehicle's axle shaft (see Figure E2).
^ Make sure the forcing screw is un-screwed enough so the end of the extension tube almost touches the ABS rotor ring.
4. Install the two Collet halves # J-45073-2 around the ABS rotor ring:
Make sure you slide the lower lip of each Collet under the rotor ring (see Figure E3).
5. Slide the Sleeve # J-25852-4 over the two halves of the Collet (see Figure E4).
6. Tighten the Forcing Screw of the Extension Tube until the rotor ring is pulled free (see Figure E5). Do not use an impact wrench to tighten the Forcing Screw.
^ Remove the Sleeve, Collets, Extension Tube, and ABS rotor ring from the axle shaft.
Inner Wheel Bearing/Backing Plate Removal
7. Clamp the vehicle's axle shaft assembly standing up (on the wheel studs) in a soft-jaw vise (see Figure E6).
8. Bearing Lock Nut Lock Washer:
^ Bend the tabs down with a hammer and punch (see Figure E7).
9. Bearing Lock Nut Wrench:
^ Place the Lock Nut Wrench # J-45073-1 down on the axle lock nut (see Figure E8). Lock the wrench in place on the nut.
10. Using Lock Nut Wrench # J-45073-1, loosen and remove the axle locknut (see Figure E9).
^ Turn the nut counterclockwise to loosen.
^ Remove the lock washer and flat washer (below the nut).
11. Stand the axle shaft assembly on the floor. Then, slide the Extension Tube and Sleeve over the vehicle's axle shaft (see Figure E10).
NOTE:
The axle shaft assembly MUST be standing straight up when removing the inner wheel bearing or damage can occur.
12. Slide the two halves of the Bearing Puller Jaw # J-45073-7 over the brake backing plate studs (see Figure E11).
13. Then, slide the Sleeve # J-25852-4 over the Bearing Puller Jaws (see Figure E12).
14. Screw the special nuts onto the backing plate studs (see Figure E13).
^ The special nuts are supplied in kit # J-46215-4)
^ Screw the nuts all the way down.
15. Tighten the Forcing Screw of the Extension Tube until the brake backing plate (with inner wheel bearing) is pulled free (see Figure E14).
IMPORTANT:
Do not use an impact wrench to tighten the forcing screw.
16. Remove the Sleeve, Bearing Puller Jaws, Extension tube, and backing plate (with inner axle bearing) from the axle shaft.
Outer Wheel Bearing/Grease Seal Removal
17. Again, slide the Extension Tube and Sleeve over the axle shaft (see Figure E15).
18. Place the two halves of the Bearing Puller Jaw # J-45073-7 around the outer axle bearing.
Make sure the lower lip of each jaw is slid under the bearing (see Figure E16).
19. Slide the Sleeve # J-25852-4 over the Bearing Puller Jaws (see Figure E17).
20. Tighten the Forcing Screw of the Extension Tube until the outer axle bearing is pulled free (see Figure E18).
IMPORTANT:
Do not use an impact wrench to tighten the forcing screw.
21. Remove the Sleeve, Bearing Puller Jaws Extension Tube, and outer bearing from the axle shaft.
22. Finally, remove the outer grease seal from the axle shaft (see Figure E19).
Wheel Bearing Race Removal
23. Working on a hydraulic press, place the brake backing plate assembly on the "Hub Support" special tool # J-46215-2 (see Figure E20).
CAUTION:
Wear suitable eye and hand protection when using the hydraulic press.
24. Take the old outer wheel bearing you previously removed, and:
^ Place it in the outer race
^ Then place the "Bearing Remover" special tool # J-46215-1 on the face of the old outer bearing (see Figure E21).
25. Carefully press the old bearing/race assembly out of the bearing cage (see Figure E22).
RE-ASSEMBLY
IMPORTANT:
Before re-assembly (explained below), thoroughly inspect the bearing cage for any damage. Also, clean the cage as necessary.
Install New Axle Bearing Assembly
26. Turn the brake backing plate over, making sure it is fully supported by the the "Hub Support" special tool # J-46215-2 (see Figure E23).
27. Insert the new axle bearing assembly in the bearing cage (see Figure E24). Make sure the plastic insert is still in the center of the new bearing.
NOTE:
The plastic insert holds the inner and outer bearings together during the pressing operation (next step).
28. Place "Bearing Race Installer" special tool # J-46215-3 onto the new axle bearing assembly (see Figure E25).
IMPORTANT:
ONLY use J-46215-3 to press in the new axle bearing assembly. Reason: It applies pressure on the outer bearing race, otherwise bearing damage may occur.
29. Carefully press the new axle bearing assembly until it is fully seated (see Figure E26).
CAUTION:
Do NOT exceed 4.4 ton press load.
Install New Grease Seal
30. Apply a suitable grease to the sealing surface of the new outer grease seal (see Figure E27).
31. Place the new outer grease seal onto the bearing cage (see Figure E28).
32. Place the "Outer Grease Seal Installer" special tool #J~4621 5-5 (flat side up) over the new grease seal (see Figure E29).
33. Press the grease seal until it is fully seated (see Figure E30).
CAUTION
Do NOT exceed 0.9 ton press load.
Re-Install Axle Shaft
34. Place the backing plate assembly on the "Hub and Bearing Assembly Support" special tool # J-46215-7 (see Figure E31).
35. Remove the plastic insert from the new axle bearing assembly (see Figure E32).
36. Insert the axle shaft into the backing plate (see Figure E33).
37. Place the "Outer Grease Seal Installer" special tool # J-46215-5 (flat side down) on the face of the axle (see Figure E34).
38. Press the axle shaft into the inner bearing race until it is fully seated (see Figure E35).
CAUTION:
Do NOT exceed 5.3 ton press load.
Re-Install Flat Washer/Lock Washer/Lock Nut
39. Clamp the axle shaft standing straight up (on the wheel studs) in a soft-jaw vise (see Figure E36).
40. Re-install the wheel bearing flat washer making sure the tab is aligned with the groove in the axle (see Figure E37).
41. Install a new wheel bearing lock washer making sure the tab is aligned with the groove in the axle (see Figure E38).
42. Re-install the wheel bearing lock nut so the tapered side is down against the lock washer (see Figure E39).
43. Using the "Lock Nut Wrench" # J-45073-1, tighten the lock nut to 180 - 232 ft-lbs (see Figure E40).
NOTE:
When tightening, make sure the Lock Nut Wrench is installed on the torque wrench at 90° to achieve the most accurate tightening torque.
44. Clamp the axle shaft in a vise. Then, turn the brake backing plate only, (the axle shaft will not turn) ten revolutions in both directions.
45. Measure the bearing preload by pulling on one of the backing plate studs with the "Spring Scale" special tool # J-08129 at a slow/even rotation. See Figure E41.
^ The spring scale should read somewhere between 1.5 to 10.8 lb.
^ The backing plate should begin turning when you apply somewhere between 1.5 and 10.8 lbs.
^ If not within this turning range, adjust the lock nut torque (see Figure E40) accordingly, within the allowable torque range given.
46. Bend one of the tabs on the bearing lock washer into the notch of the lock nut (see Figure E42).
Re-Install ABS Rotor Ring
47. Install the ABS rotor onto the axle (see Figure E43).
48. On the hydraulic press:
^ Place the backing plate/axle assembly (with ABS rotor ring installed) onto the "Hub and Bearing Assembly Support" (see Figure E44).
^ The number for this special tool is # J-46215-7 (see Figure E44).
49. Using the "Outer Grease Seal Installer" special tool # J-46215-5 (with flat side down):
^ Press the ABS rotor ring onto the axle shaft until it is fully seated against the bearing lock nut (see Figure E45).
CAUTION:
Do NOT exceed 4.8 ton press load.