Front Wheel Bearings

XJChris98 · 01-05-2007, 09:35 PM

Alright, well after two days of poking around at my front axle to figure out what was making so much noise, im almost 100% sure its the hub bearings. So now that ive figure all this out, heres my question. How much should I expect to pay to have the hub bearings repacked? ...Or should I just do it myself?

**mortalenema** · 01-05-2007, 09:40 PM

I think they are a complete assembly. They can't be repacked. They are around $150-$170 each.

ChairKey00 · 01-05-2007, 09:41 PM

If I'm not mistaken, the 98 model Jeeps don;t have seperate wheel bearings. They have an entire hub assembly that must be replaced. Probably set you back between $100-$140 new at Autozone.

Powellae · 01-05-2007, 09:49 PM

If you have basic tools and a torque wrench, you can do this. there are writeups on the web. It's about a 90-minute job per side.

midfat · 01-05-2007, 09:50 PM

I have a 99 and, yes, they are a complete hub assembly. I picked up new bearings for $121 each from my local auto parts store. If you do it yourself, you'll also need a 36mm axel nut and an 11mm 12-point socket (Very important it's a 12 point socket as the bolts are 12 point bolts!)

For me, it was not a difficult job. Many complain of trouble pulling the bearing out of the steering knuckle assembly, but with a three arm gear pullert, it was a piece of cake.

XJChris98 · 01-05-2007, 10:02 PM

I wasnt sure if they could be repacked or not, but thanks for clearing that up guys! Theres a guy in our local club that found a place that sells the entire assembly for 65$. Thats deff cheaper than what the local auto parts store wants for them, but still more than what I was hoping to have to spend right now. Dang your Christmas!!!

Powellae · 01-05-2007, 10:04 PM

Midfat has it right. A 12-point socket is nothing special, it's just a socket with 2x the number of contact points as a 6-point socket.

Have some penetrating oil handy to help get the rotor off once the caliper is out of the way. It may stick to the hub. I ended up soaking it for an hour, then putting a 2x4 behind the edge of the rotor and whacking it with a hammer to get it to move. Once it started, I just rotated the rotor and tapped it (using the 2x4 as a pad) in various places until it came loose.

01-05-2007, 09:41 PM	#3
ChairKey00 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Birmingham Posts: 204 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	If I'm not mistaken, the 98 model Jeeps don;t have seperate wheel bearings. They have an entire hub assembly that must be replaced. Probably set you back between $100-$140 new at Autozone. __________________ 2000 Jeep Cherokee Classic 2006 Kawasaki ZX-10R 2002 Honda Accord SE - Hers 2001 Nissan Maxima SE 20th Anniv. 5sp 2006 Pontiac GTO 6sp (12,500 miles) 1992 Chevrolet S-10 (224,300 miles...all original)

01-05-2007, 09:49 PM	#4
Powellae Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 159 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	If you have basic tools and a torque wrench, you can do this. there are writeups on the web. It's about a 90-minute job per side.

01-05-2007, 10:04 PM	#7
Powellae Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 159 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Midfat has it right. A 12-point socket is nothing special, it's just a socket with 2x the number of contact points as a 6-point socket. Have some penetrating oil handy to help get the rotor off once the caliper is out of the way. It may stick to the hub. I ended up soaking it for an hour, then putting a 2x4 behind the edge of the rotor and whacking it with a hammer to get it to move. Once it started, I just rotated the rotor and tapped it (using the 2x4 as a pad) in various places until it came loose.