Silverado Front Hub Bearing Tools

[bob_the_builder]

So in the next week or two I have four front hub bearings to replace on two trucks. Living in the rust belt I am guessing the bearings will be hard to remove. Does anyone have any tips or tool recommendations to make this job easier.

I have a slide hammer already which I usually use on smaller cars but not sure if it's the way to go for trucks.

I have been watching a lot of South Main Auto on YOUTUBE and Erik uses the Mac/OTC puller 6290A and an air hammer. Does anyone use this tool before and do you think it is worth $130?

I have also seen some people use the OTC hub grappler but to make this work on the truck I would have to remove the cv shaft.

Any comments would be great.

Bob

 

[Ramblin Man]

I take the bolts holding the hub assembly to the knuckle out. Then use an air hammer with a straight bit and hammer on the hub assembly at the bolt hole locations, hammering in a rotating motion. Back and forth to knock it loose and pry it out.

Hope this helps.

 

[Rlfd213]

I take the whole knuckle off the vehicle and use my 20 ton press to push the whole bearing and hub assembly out of the knuckle. I live in the rust belt too.

 

[mcmtech]

Like rambling man said, walk it off with an air hammer

 

[Tmct]

All the ones I've done either came out easily or with sledge hammer or air Hammer, using chisel to get behind flange.

 

[T_Roze]

Air hammer, or chisel and big hammer. Put anti sieze on on the way back in!


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[1badbird]

I live in Wisconsin so I feel your pain. Did them on my 06 Chevy and just used an air hammer to get it to separate.

 

[WhiskeyRanger]

I had to torch them out on my 2007 Ram.

 

[countryroad82]

I've only had to resort to using an air hammer maybe once on GMs. Most other times I can give a couple whacks with a hammer and they fall right out. Maybe I've been lucky but yes Kentucky is a nice rusty state. As for other tools to make the job easier, 1/2 and 3/8 impacts are about all you need and a lot of guys I know use swivel sockets to access the bearing bolts. I use wobble extensions as I've never been a fan of anything that swivels, too many times I've been smacked by the stupid things lol.

 

[WhiffySpark]

I take the bolts holding the hub assembly to the knuckle out. Then use an air hammer with a straight bit and hammer on the hub assembly at the bolt hole locations, hammering in a rotating motion. Back and forth to knock it loose and pry it out.

Hope this helps.

I just use a chisel and split it between the hub and bearing. Takes me 15 minutes no matter what.

 

[dlcwent]

Here's one that works a lot of times. After removing the nuts, put one back on a few threads and use a socket and extension up against the frame. Then start the truck and use the p/s to apply pressure to the back of the hub. A lot of the time, they will pop right out. Sometimes all you need to do is turn the steering wheel without starting it.

If that fails, I've found a masons chisel works well because it is much flatter than most others.

 

[shockwave]

You need to take apart pads and rotors and spray penetrant on threads to hub and abs sensor should be disconnected at upper control arm I recommend a good 15mm 6 point for the hub bolts

This is assuming you have a 99+Silverado and 2wd

 

[06switchback]

Here's one that works a lot of times. After removing the nuts, put one back on a few threads and use a socket and extension up against the frame. Then start the truck and use the p/s to apply pressure to the back of the hub. A lot of the time, they will pop right out. Sometimes all you need to do is turn the steering wheel without starting it.

If that fails, I've found a masons chisel works well because it is much flatter than most others.

I have used this method on solid axle trucks but the chevys are independent front I don't think you will find anything to push off of

But it did work great

Usually a 3-4 lb hammer and a big chisel do the trick for me

I have found trucks to be easier than some cars because of the cast iron spindle rather than aluminum

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[u118224]

A slide hammer has always worked for me on GM half tons.

 

[vpd66]

Knock out 2 wheel studs, use a harmonic balancer puller through the lug hole so it wedges between the hub and spindle and pushes the wheel bearing out. Worked for me on my 2006 Silverado plow truck in Wisconsin. They were rusted in tight.

 

[wafrederick]

A die grinder with a burr on it too.Clean the inside of the spindle where the wheelbearing goes into.Would not hurt to put anti seize or grease in this area so the wheelbearing will come easy the next time also.

 

[bob_the_builder]

Thanks for everyone's input. Sounds like I will be all set with my slide hammer and air hammer.

Bob

 

[Farmall450]

Like rambling man said, walk it off with an air hammer

Agreed.