DIY: Replacing 96-00 EK Civic Wheel Bearing

Status
Not open for further replies.

Black Magic

I'm Rick James, b***h
Registered VIP
5+ Year Member
I know this is probably straight forward for most mechanically-inclined people, but it may be beneficial to other noobs like me.

Tools you'll need:
- hammer(s)
- 10mm, 17mm and 32mm sockets and wrench
- torque wrench
- impact wrench (optional)
- philps screw driver
- jack
- jack stands
- new wheel bearing
- hydraulic press
- plypar (optional)
- patience!!!
- 3 cotter pins (for each front wheel)






To replace your wheel bearing, basically we gotta remove the knuckle from your car. The following diagram illustrates the three nuts (A, B and C) that need to be removed to set knuckle free




Directions:

1) If possible, remove the centre caps from your wheels in order for the 32mm axel nut to become visible and crack that baby loose. If you don't have centre caps or if this isn't possible for some other reason, don't worry, you can do this later when the car is raised and wheels are removed. Note: It's a b***h to remove this axel nut because it's in there really tight, so you'll have to put some muscle into it. Use either a long wrench or an impact wrench. I used both!












2) Raise the car and put it on jack stands. If you couldn't remove the axel nut for the above reasons, do it now.




3) We will proceed by taking off the brake caliper. There are two 17mm screws that mount the caliper to the knuckle. Remove them






4) After the caliper is off, remove the brake rotor. There are two philp screws that hold it in... you may need to use an impact wrench if you've never removed them before.






This is what everything should look like now... caliper, rotor and axle nut removed




5) Now we need to take off the three castle nuts presented in this diagram. They all have cotter pins which also need to be removed.







Note: In the following image, you can see the rotor, but this should already be off.




6) If your car has ABS, you will need to remove the sensor from the knuckle. There are four 10mm bolts.






7) Now CAREFULLY take out the knuckle. You may need to use a prybar for the castle nut under the lower ball joint. The axle should slide right out. If it doesn't, tap it LIGHTLY with a hammer.






You can see the wheel bearing by turning the knuckle backwards




8) In order to take out the wheel bearing, you will need to first press out the hub and then after removing the c-clamp, you can also press out the wheel bearing. I had a friend do this for me since I don't have a hydralic press. I've seen some people use a hammer and a few large washers to do this. Part Source or some other automotive shops also have a tool you can usually rent to do this.







The following is taken from a thread on HT explaining how to remove the hub and wheel bearing manually and pressing in the new bearing (http://www.honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=2685054):

Step A) Set up your socket how it is in the picture below and get your 3 LB hammer ready (or whatever you are going to use that is about 1-3/8” Outer Diameter). Pound out the Hub (don’t worry part of the wheel bearing inner race will come with it).



Step B) After you have hammered out the Hub you should have half of the inner wheel bearing race stuck on it if you are unlucky. The next object is to get the Hub on the left to look like the one on the right in the picture below.



Step C) Now to remove the inner race from the Hub with out special tools is a delicate task. You could use a bearing puller and a gear puller or a press but those are all special tools most don’t have. Take your grinder and buzz off the material as seen in the picture. When you get close to the Hub shaft it will start to discolor, turning black/ blue/ purple. The part of the wheel bearing race that is more towards the wheel studs is thicker. Be sure you understand where the separation is; THERE IS A GAP BETWEEN THE HUB FACE AND THE BEARING RACE! If you nick a little bit of the Hub shaft don’t worry. Just don’t gouge it severely. You can get it close then use the chisel to break it through the rest of the way. After you get a gap take your Channel Locks and “walk it off” by turning it back and forth. Be sure to take a file or some emery cloth if you nick up the surface. You don’t want the bearing “hanging up or sticking” on an imperfection.



Step D) There is an internal snap ring on the front side of the wheel bearing you have to remove. This can be done with a pair of needle nose pliers (if you have a snap ring tool then great, use that instead). I like to take a hammer and screwdriver to sort of “pop” the ring out of its rusted seat; then use the pliers to easily pull it out. (Sorry, I forgot to snap a picture BEFORE I took it out so I had to take one after I put the new one in.)



Step E) Now is time to pound out the wheel bearing. I like to spray it down with some PB Blaster or WD-40 on both sides before I start. You don’t have to, but can if you have the stuff. I like using the 6 LB hammer sitting on the wheel bearing and hitting it with the 3 LB. You can use a socket if you like but it has to be about 2-1/4” OD to work right.









Step F) Now wipe out the spindle and the shaft of the Hub. You don’t have to use Anti-Seize if you don’t want to but you will want to use some type of lubricant like oil. I am in love with anti-seize and use it on everything possible. I hate trying to fight stuff if I ever have to pull it back apart. Anti-seize the Hub shaft and the inside of the spindle where the bearing sits.




Step G) Now for the good stuff. If you take your new wheel bearing (if you haven’t figured it out yet) the outside race is one piece and the inside race is two pieces. This poses a problem when you are putting in the Hub, but we will get to that later as it is easily overcame.

If you put the wheel bearing into the hole you will notice it goes in a little bit, around 1/4” to 3/8”. This will help you get it aligned correctly. Now when I talked about earlier it all depends on what type of setup you use… this is where that all kicks in. I used 7/8” Threaded Stock. The 7/8” washer fits perfectly in the front side for pressing the Hub in. See back to the top if you are confused on what you should use. (Arranging your washers/ plates accordingly to get the desired effect.) You need the 3” diameter piece to go on the backside of the spindle and rest on the edge. On the front side you will need the 2-3/4” diameter to go on the bearing and be sure to center the washer so it does not hang up on the spindle edge while the bearing is being pressed in.




Step H) Now get your ½” impact ready (you don’t technically need one but you will be one tired Mother EF’er when you are done if you don’t have one). Use your combination or adjustable on the other side as shown in the picture and press her in until the socket stops turning.




Step I) Take out your bolt setup and get ready for the next piece, the Hub. Doing the same with arranging the washers/plates to get the desired effect; you will need 2” to go on the backside of the bearing (keeping the inner race from falling out) and a 1-3/4” to go in the “cup” of the front of the Hub. Some say you can use the axle to do this but I looked at it and there is practically NO WAY to do it with the axle… Now take the Hub and line it up, put your assembly together and push her in like the wheel bearing. You will go until it stops.




Pat yourself on the back because you just did your own wheel bearing!!!


Here is my new bearing purchased from Honda and installed. On that note, I would recommend buying OEM parts because I am doing this to replace an aftermarket wheel bearing I got about 1.5 yrs ago.








9) Install the knuckle and ABS sensor following the steps you used to take it out (in reverse order).




10) Don't forget to make sure everything is tightened to spec. Also make sure you use NEW cotter pins for the three castle nuts you removed.



A - 29-35 ft-lbs
B - 33 ft-lbs
C - 36-43 ft-lbs


11) Install your rotors and brake calipers. My mounting bolts for the calipers had to be tightened to 40 ft-lbs, but I think the stock ones should be around 80.




12) Tighen the axel nut, making sure the pivot sits in the correct spot (You will need to push it in using a hammer and something that's not too sharp). Note: I tightened the axle nut after taking the car off jack stands since it needs to be on really tight. You can also have a friend apply the brakes while you tighten it (when the car is still raised).






13) Put the wheels back on, lower the car from the jack stands and you're all done! Now go for a test drive!
 

lotz6996

New Member
Registered VIP
5+ Year Member
nice write up, never thought of using the threaded rod. this will also work for the 5th gen civics, they are about the same. and probably some of the others but ive never seen theyre front susp.
 


Billy.

Has returned ;-)
Registered VIP
Registered OG
5+ Year Member
10+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
did you need an alignment after?
 

Jersey8

B20: Detroit Muscle!
Registered VIP
Registered OG
5+ Year Member
10+ Year Member
nice write up. be sure to swerve from side to side a little when on a test drive to load the new bearings properly
 


rufio275

New Member
Good write up. I have a question. I had two mechanics price the job for me. One said a 2000 Honda Civic didn't need pressed and the other said it did. The difference in price for labor was doubled. Is the first guy right? Does it technically not needed pressed, but pressing makes it stronger? Or is he just wrong and would do the job incorrectly?
 

Black Magic

I'm Rick James, b***h
Registered VIP
5+ Year Member
Good write up. I have a question. I had two mechanics price the job for me. One said a 2000 Honda Civic didn't need pressed and the other said it did. The difference in price for labor was doubled. Is the first guy right? Does it technically not needed pressed, but pressing makes it stronger? Or is he just wrong and would do the job incorrectly?
If you're taking about replacing a front wheel bearing, it needs to be pressed in. Some people will just replace the whole spindle, in which case you don't need to press in a new bearing because you already have one (inside the new spindle).

The process of inserting the new bearing in the spindle is called "pressing it in". There are many ways to do this, but I don't see how you can completely skip this step if you're replacing the wheel bearing.
 

bungtater

New Member
Just joined the site to say THANKS for the great writeup!

I recently bought a 99 Si with a bad rear hub bearing (REAL LOUD). Replaced it only to NOW hear I have a bad front! It's been about 10 years since I've done a front in anything so your writeup was a great refresher. I had the knuckle out in less than a half hour. I'll press out the hub and bearing next chance I get and then re-assemble. I will post up upon completion! TYVM;)


Update..... All done and good. Also replaced the driveshaft as it had a ripped boot. About a 1 hour job.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.


Top