Need Front Wheel bearing help

Burbinator · January 10, 2004

I decided to pack the front wheel bearings on my 98 3/4 Suburban 4X4. No big deal, I used to be an auto mechanic in the old days. Well, I finally got the rotor/bearing assembly off, not as easy as Mr. Chilton made it sound. Now, how do I get the bearings out of the hub to pack them? Are they a press fit? I have a puller that I'm sure will get it apart, I just don't want to tear something up. No guidance in the manual. Sure could use some advice from somebody who has done it, or has a better manual than I do. They don't make things the way they used to.

blue2kzr2 · January 11, 2004

If the 3/4 ton is anything like the 1/2 ton and the S-series, the bearing IS the hub, it's all a unit and usually requires no repacking. On my old truck, a 94 S-15 Jimmy 4x4, the front bearings were original and un-touched at 115,000 miles. This may be why the Chilton manual doesn't give info on how to re-pack the bearings...

02 Silverado Z71 · January 11, 2004

Correct. The hub and bearing are one sealed unit, and cannot be taken apart and serviced.

If/when a bearing gets noisy, just replace it.

Ben · January 11, 2004

Sealed and not designed to be repacked.

Complete assembly, hub-inner/outer/seals, and mini flange. Meant to be whole assembly replaced.

Timpkin bearings and the whold assembly is made by Timpkin for GM. They won't sell just the bearings & seals either. Have tried finding source.

EXPENSIVE!!!!!

Also a mother to remove those 4 bolts holding the mini flange to the steering knuckle. Make sure to reassembly with antisieze.

Burbinator · January 11, 2004

HMMM.

Thanks for the replies. The local part store did sell me a set of seals for it, so I assumed one could take it apart, pack, and reseal. Well, I guess I'll put it all back together. The vehicle has 65K on it, and I'm planning a cross country trip later this year pulling a travel trailer. I was trying to avoid problems. I would feel more comfortable if I could inspect the bearings and make sure it has fresh grease in it. It's hard to believe that it could last the lifetime of the vehicle. I expect to put 200K on this thing, and the diesel engine is quite heavy.

There is play in the hub, but I assume that torqueing the axle nut to the proper spec will take care of that.

This old dog just doesn't like to learn new tricks.

thanks

Ben · January 11, 2004

Forgot to mention the ABS sensor.

TSB for rust between it and mounting surface. False ABS initiation in very low speed. Below 15mph.

Consider moving up to Praise Dyno Brake pads and shoes. About 38% increase in braking power (Stage II's, Stage I's a bit less). 38% higher than OEM. Just a bit more than OEM prices, though the cyro/slotted rotors are pricey, ditto the cyro drums.

Praise Dyno Brake Web Site

They only take phone orders (small company compared to Bendix/Raybestos/etc). http://www.praisedynobrake.com/ Texas time (972)-636-2722.

Ask for John Ambrose, Jr. Owner and tell him Ben Toy recommended. Tough to get him, but anyone answering knows the stuff. Most likely wife, or one of his sons.