Hello everyone.

I'm planning on removing and replacing my passenger front hub next week. I've been trying to track down a rubbing/grinding noise and i believe it may be coming from a bad wheel bearing. In the event that the bearing is bad, there might be hub damage so thats why i'm replacing it as a whole.

Anyways, i'm looking for any tips that may help the install go smoothly. Any special tools that may be required too. I did a search but nothing really came up for the front hubs. Hopefully this solves my problem. Its really starting to get me discouraged with this car. Thanks in advance.

 

Front bearing are like the rears, with the exception being the axle nut on the opposite side.

You'll need the basic tools for a bearing install. Shop press, press dies, ball joint separator and preferably an impact gun for the nut.

Here's a detailed DIY for replacing the front bearing
http://robrobinette.com/S2000Bearing.htm

 

Thanks a lot for the link. I don't know how i missed that. Hopefully i don't run into to many problems. I have never separated ball joints before so i'm a little nervous about that.

 

Be careful not to tear the ball joints using that separator. I just used a BFH to pop my ball joints. Loosen the nut all the way to the end of the threads and then hit the control arm on the end near the ball joint being careful not to damage the ball joint. The nut protects the threads in case you miss. It also helps to pry down on the LCA at the same time.

 

If the ball joint has never been popped, it's going to be hard (please don't use a hammer). Make sure you're using the correct tools to prevent further damage.

OTC 6297

 

Thanks everyone for the tips. From searching it seems like people of success with both techniques as far as using a BFH or a separator. I have both so we will see what works for me. Also just to clear it up, i'll be replacing the whole spindle/knuckle with a low mileage unit. This will eliminate the need for a press. Also, should i be alright with doing just the one or should i do the front as a pair? Thanks.

 

Spray PBlaster on the ball joint & boot area to make popping the joint easier. Doing one side by itself is fine. But there's a saying, when one side goes (wheel bearing) the other will follow. I wouldn't worry about it too much, it being the fronts. The rears are prone to premature wear due to heat soak from a non-vented rotor. If one rear wheel bearing failed, I would replace the other.

If you haven't removed rotors before, heads up. You'll need an impact driver to remove the philips set screw which holds the rotor to the hub. Spray this screw with PBlaster as well.


BTW, you have 3 ball joints to pop. Steering tie-rod, upper ball joint and lower ball joint. The lower will be the hardest. If you have the tool, its easy peasy!

 

Thanks for the tips and suggestions. I did the rotors pads and calipers a few months back so none of that should be a problem.

I believe I have access to a ball joint popper but I'll have to double check. If not, does the one from harbour freight still do the job?

I plan on doing this monday if everything goes right. Hopefully I have no issues.

 

The hammer is safer than the seperator.hitting the tabs on the side of the control arm are designed to be hit by a hammer lol

 

So I got around to finally doing this today. Ended up being a pretty easy job. I replaced the upper control along with the spindle and really didn't run into any problems.

But my issue still remains. Even after the hub was changed I still have an awful rubbing/grinding noise. It sounds like its coming from the front but I'm not sure anymore. To me it sounds like a pad is dragging, but I've tried several different pads and 3 different rotors. The caliper was replaced also.

I'm wondering if maybe the brake line has corroded inside and possible the piston in the caliber is sticking? Maybe its something from the rear? Parking brake? Is it possible that the drive shaft/prop shaft could make a noise like this? Any thoughts are welcomed. Thanks.