NOTE: Never disassemble the rear hub bearing. The wheel bearing
is serviced by replacement of the hub.
- Raise and safely support the vehicle.
- Remove the rear wheel.
- Remove the caliper and brake disc or brake drum.
- Remove the dust cap and tighten the flange nut to 130 ft. lbs. (180 Nm).
- Using a dial indicator, measure wheel bearing end-play. The maximum limit
for end-play is 0.0020 inches (0.05mm).
- Using a spring scale and a rope wrapped around the bolts, measure the rotary
sliding resistance of the bearing/hub. The maximum limit for resistance is
4 lbs. (19 N).
- If any of the readings exceed the specifications, replacement of the hub
is required.
- Install the dust cap.
- Install the brake disc and caliper, or brake drum.
- Install the rear wheel assembly and lower the vehicle to the floor.
NOTE: Vehicles equipped with rear disc brakes use a sealed
hub and bearing assembly, which requires no adjustment. Drum brake models are
adjusted using the following procedure.
- Raise the vehicle and support it safely.
- Remove the wheel and tire assemblies.
- If equipped with rear disc brakes, remove the caliper assembly.
- Remove the grease cap and the hub nut.
- Tighten the wheel bearing nut to 20 ft. lbs. (27 Nm) while rotating the
drum/hub.
- Back off the adjusting nut to remove the preload and then tighten it to
7 ft. lbs. (10 Nm).
- Install the nut lock and a new cotter pin.
- If brake caliper was removed, reinstall.
- Install the wheel and lower the vehicle.
Measure the wheel bearing end-play using a dial indicator. The end-play should
be 0.002 inches (0.05mm) or less with the wheel bearing locknut torqued to specifications.
The wheel bearings are sealed units and are not adjustable. If defective, replacement
is the only option.
