Wheel bearings

[Cavell]

Kid had abs light for driver rear bearing. And noisy pass rear bearing. Grr. Ordered 2 bearings online on 10/22 at noon. Were delivered on 10/24 and started repair at 430pm. Done at 610 pm. Cleared code and no light. Woohoo.

[SL2 Ride]

Originally Posted by Cavell

Kid had abs light for driver rear bearing. And noisy pass rear bearing. Grr. Ordered 2 bearings online on 10/22 at noon. Were delivered on 10/24 and started repair at 430pm. Done at 610 pm. Cleared code and no light. Woohoo.

that was really fast, those bearings get to where they're practically welded in there.
what brand did you get?

[Cavell]

No name china junk. I use the bolt/nut trick to press off the rear bearings. Quite easy. And drums are new too. So I am real familiar with job. I don’t even remove any brake hardware. Done 4 bearings this yr as I have gone thru 3 equinoxes and they have same brake parts. If cheap bearing fails, I will just throw on another one. Last month my 3 day shipping turned into 6 days and I told seller I wanted to return it so they said keep it and it’s free.

[SL2 Ride]

Originally Posted by Cavell

No name china junk. I use the bolt/nut trick to press off the rear bearings. Quite easy. And drums are new too. So I am real familiar with job. I don’t even remove any brake hardware. Done 4 bearings this yr as I have gone thru 3 equinoxes and they have same brake parts. If cheap bearing fails, I will just throw on another one. Last month my 3 day shipping turned into 6 days and I told seller I wanted to return it so they said keep it and it’s free.

I'm not familiar with that trick. can you give me a rundown on how that works?

[Cavell]

knock out 2 wheelstuds from flange. put in 6" bolt with nut on backside of flange. hold nut and turn bolt till it pushes against the backing plate. it will be very close to bearing flange and metal is fairly strong here. you could put a washer/shim where the bolt pushes against backing plate if it starts to deform. i usually use 2 bolts side by side on flange. if you are steady the bolts wont try and push at an angle. you could even use 3 bolts but than the brake hardware gets in the way. though removing the shoes is not a big deal
ive done 3 headgasket jobs in last yr and i have 54 5-6" head bolts. use the lugnuts from wheel. they are same thread
i found a seller online that had the bolts for $1 with free shipping. woohoo

[SL2 Ride]

Originally Posted by Cavell

knock out 2 wheelstuds from flange. put in 6" bolt with nut on backside of flange. hold nut and turn bolt till it pushes against the backing plate. it will be very close to bearing flange and metal is fairly strong here. you could put a washer/shim where the bolt pushes against backing plate if it starts to deform. i usually use 2 bolts side by side on flange. if you are steady the bolts wont try and push at an angle. you could even use 3 bolts but than the brake hardware gets in the way. though removing the shoes is not a big deal
ive done 3 headgasket jobs in last yr and i have 54 5-6" head bolts. use the lugnuts from wheel. they are same thread
i found a seller online that had the bolts for $1 with free shipping. woohoo

Thanks! I'll have to try that when the inevitable happens on my Vue.

[Northerner]

Originally Posted by Cavell

Kid had abs light for driver rear bearing. And noisy pass rear bearing. Grr. Ordered 2 bearings online on 10/22 at noon. Were delivered on 10/24 and started repair at 430pm. Done at 610 pm. Cleared code and no light. Woohoo.

Good thing I found this thread as I'm like 99% sure that is the noise coming from the rear of my 2004.


Questions I have:


I need to cut cost so the less money I have to put into my truck, the better. That said, I don't think I want to use Chinese - I want some sufficient enough - this is under the premise that I am going to be keeping/driving this truck for hopefully another 5 years.


- What is the "BEST" brand I can get that will be expected to last forever, but not the most expensive? RockAUto shows this listing: https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...+assembly,1636


- can I get away with doing only one rear wheel bearing? or is the procedure ALWAYS do both at the same time?


- how do I know if my Vue has rear ABS or not?

[Cavell]

just assume it does have abs. and do not use the sensor if it does not. i do not think there is a big price difference
better to have it and not need it vs needing it and not having it

[Northerner]

Originally Posted by Cavell

just assume it does have abs. and do not use the sensor if it does not. i do not think there is a big price difference
better to have it and not need it vs needing it and not having it

Thank you sir.

[Northerner]

Is a wheel bearing replacement(s) out of a novice's depth, as far as me doing it myself? I've always kind of been afraid of doing a wheel bearing job. I've done alternators, starters, oil changes, brakes...things of that nature on my own, but I've always been afraid of doing a wheel bearing(s).

[Cavell]

If you have done brake jobs it is 80% there. Unbolt 4 mounting bolts from bearing and use the bolt method. It’s getting the rusted bearing out of the knuckle that everyone fights with. The rear drum bearing is easier than front as the front knuckle does not have a real good place to push the long bolts against. But if you keep at it, it will work

[Northerner]

I bought two on rockauto. Think I'll just pay the pro to do it. Looking like labor will be around $150 per side. Hoping it's just one side, snd I'll return one.

[Cavell]

Once drum was off, I bet it took me 15 min to get bearing out. It was real easy. Is yours awd? Drive shaft requires 1-3/16 axle nut socket.

[Northerner]

Originally Posted by Cavell

Once drum was off, I bet it took me 15 min to get bearing out. It was real easy. Is yours awd? Drive shaft requires 1-3/16 axle nut socket.

I don't believe any of the 2.2s are AWD. Mine is front wheel drive only.