How to replace the front hub and bearing assembly for 2006 Chevrolet Silverado

Bearings can wear out over time, which means they may need to be replaced. The hub bearings on your 2006 Chevy Silverado can be found between the axle and the brake rotors. The following will take you through the steps necessary to replace the front hub and bearing assembly on your Chevrolet Silverado. Before you get started, make sure that you are parked on a dry, level surface. The best surface is concrete because you will need to jack up and secure your vehicle.

Hub and Bearing Removal

  1. Jack up your Silverado and place it on secure stands.
  2. Take the tire and wheel off the truck. If you need to, refer to instructions on how to remove the wheel and tire.
  3. You need to remove the front brake rotor. If necessary, refer to front brake rotor replacement instructions.
  4. Take the wheel speed sensor off and remove the mounting bracket bolt for the brake hose. You will find the bracket on the steering knuckle. Take the wheel drive shaft nut retaining cover off. When you replace the wheel drive shaft, you need to replace the nut by securing it with a new one. You cannot reuse the old drive shaft nut.
  5. Take off the washer and the retaining nut that holds the wheel drive shaft assembly to the wheel drive shaft.
  6. Use axle tool remover J-45859 or an equivalent tool to disengage the wheel drive shaft on the wheel hub and bearing.
  7. When you remove the wheel hub, you also need to remove the 15-series bearing bolts. Use caution when removing parts from the wheel drive shaft as seals, boots and clamps can be damaged by sharp objects, and that can lead to lubricant leaks, noise and even failure of the shaft.
  8. Use shop towels to wrap up the outer and inner wheel drive shaft boots.
  9. Take mounting bolts off the wheel hub and bearing. The mounting bolts are 25/35.
  10. Take the wheel hub and bearing off the vehicle. Remove the splash shield.
  11. On the steering knuckle bore, remove the O-ring seal. It is a 25/35 series.
  12. Take off the mounting bolt to the wheel speed sensor.
  13. Inspect the O-ring seal for damage and clean it. The seal will need to be replaced if it is dry or brittle, has nicks and cuts or has been compression set.

Hub and Bearing Installation

  1. Carefully clean any contaminants or corrosion from the hub and bearing assembly and the steering knuckle bore.
  2. Use a grease for wheel bearings to lubricate the steering knuckle bore.
  3. Place the O-ring back on the steering knuckle.
  4. Using the mounting bolt that goes to the wheel speed sensor, install it on the wheel hub and bearing. You need to tighten that bolt to 13 pound per foot.
  5. Using 25/35 bolts, put the wheel hub and bearing back on the vehicle. Install the splash shield.
  6. Use 15 series mounting bolts to install the wheel hub and bearing.
  7. Use 25/35 series mounting bolts to install the wheel hub and bearing. Tighten the wheel hub to the knuckle bolts using 133 pounds per foot.
  8. With the nut and washer, install the wheel drive shaft assembly onto the wheel hub and bearing. Tighten to 177 pounds per foot.
  9. Replace the wheel speed sensor. Attach the brake hose mounting bracket bolt upon the steering knuckle. Tighten to 106 pounds per inch.
  10. Replace the rotor.
  11. Replace the wheel and tire.
  12. Remove the vehicle from the jacks.

With these instructions, you will be able to replace your 2006 Chevrolet Silverado’s front wheel bearing assembly.

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