How to Change a Wheel Hub Assembly on a 2002 Oldsmobile Alero

The 2002 Oldsmobile Alero was available in 10 different sub-models, between the GL1, GL2, GL4, GLS and GX. The car was available in two and four-door versions. The base engine in the 2002 Alero was a 2.2-liter in-line four-cylinder engine, although a 3.4-liter V-6 was available. The hub bearings on the front of the 2002 Alero also house the anti-lock brake or ABS sensors. Wheel bearing replacement on the 2002 Alero requires removal of other essential drivetrain and steering parts.

Instructions

1

Remove the wheel cap or the center cap, using a flat-head screwdriver or pry bar. Ask an assistant to enter the vehicle and depress the brake pedal. Loosen the center axle nut in the middle of the wheel hub, using a 1/2-inch-drive breaker bar and a spindle nut socket. Loosen the front wheel lug nuts on the Alero, using a tire iron.

2

Raise the front of the car, using a jack. Place jack stands beneath the front subframe rails, just inward from the lower control arms. Lower the Alero onto the jack stands. Remove the lug nuts from the front wheels, then remove the front wheels from the car.

3

Insert a pry bar into one of the calipers, in the open space on the back body of the caliper. Place the tip of the pry bar against the front of the rotor. Gently pull the caliper outward a couple of millimeters to separate the pads from the rotor. Remove the caliper mounting bracket from behind the steering knuckle, using a 1/2-inch-drive breaker bar and a socket to loosen the bolts. Remove the entire caliper and bracket assembly as a whole and hang the unit from the front strut coil spring with a metal hanger.

4

Remove the rotor from the Alero by hand. Install the three feet from your puller around the back of the hub bearing. Make sure the center threaded bolt lines up directly with the center of the CV axle shaft. Turn the bolt clockwise to tighten the whole assembly snug, by hand. Turn the bolt farther with a ratchet and socket, until the axle shaft pops loose from the inside of the wheel hub bearing. Remove the puller as soon as the axle breaks free from the bearing. Remove the axle nut completely from the axle.

5

Remove the cotter pin from the outer tie rod ball stud, using pliers. Remove the outer tie rod nut from the tie rod ball stud, using a ratchet and socket. Pull the outer tie rod upward and out of the steering knuckle, using a small pry bar on the body of the tie rod if needed. Do not pry on or near the rubber tie rod boot. Pivot the entire steering knuckle so that the front edge of the knuckle is facing inward toward the engine.

6

Install an extension between the ratchet and socket for better leverage on the bearing mounting bolts. As you are trying to install the socket onto the bolt for removal, push the CV axle inward with your other hand to move the CV boot out of your way slightly. Remove the upper and rearward wheel hub bearing mounting bolts, using a ratchet and socket. Pivot the steering knuckle the opposite way, and remove the final hub bearing mounting bolt. Disconnect by hand the ABS sensor electrical connector, which is about four to six inches inward from the rear of the bearing.

7

Pull the wheel hub bearing and bearing plate free from the steering knuckle. If the hub bearing is corroded onto the steering knuckle, install a slide hammer onto the hub studs. Install three wheel nuts onto the hub studs to secure the slide hammer to the bearing. Slide the slide hammer handle outward, away from the bearing, to loosen the bearing from the steering knuckle. If the slide hammer does not remove the bearing, remove the slide hammer and strike the hub studs with a hammer if needed. Do not strike the steering knuckle with your hammer.

8

Clean the inner bearing mounting hole on the steering knuckle, using a wire brush and 80-grit metal sandpaper. Remove all of the oxidation and rust from the inner hole and outer mounting lip of the knuckle. Apply a thin coat of high temperature bearing grease onto the inner mounting hole and outer mounting lip of the steering knuckle. Install the metal wheel bearing shim plate against the knuckle. Apply a thin layer of grease to the outer face of the shim plate, then press the shim plate firmly against the knuckle.

9

Install the ABS electrical connector wire through the bearing mounting hole in the knuckle, making sure the wire is upward and away from the CV axle and boot. Feed the wire through as you install the bearing onto the knuckle. Align the bearing mounting bolt holes with the steering knuckle bolt holes beforre pushing the bearing completely into the steering knuckle. Install all three mounting bolts by hand to ensure proper initial threading of the bolts. Pivot the steering knuckle and maneuver the CV axle if needed.

10

Tighten the bearing mounting bolts to 70 foot-pounds, using a 1/2-inch-drive torque wrench and socket. Install a new axle nut onto the end of the CV axle, and tighten it snug with your breaker bar and spindle nut socket. Install the outer tie rod ball stud through the steering knuckle, and tighten the tie rod nut to 15 foot-pounds with your torque wrench and a socket. Turn the nut clockwise 180-degrees to add the final torque to the nut. Insert the cotter pin through the castle nut and ball stud. Bend the pin to lock it, using pliers.

11

Install the brake rotor by hand and tighten a single lug nut against the face of the rotor to hold it in place. Install the caliper and bracket assembly over the rotor. Tighten the caliper mounting bracket to 133 foot-pounds, with your torque wrench and a socket. Connect the ABS electrical connector back together by hand.

12

Repeat steps 1 through 10 to complete the wheel hub bearing replacement on the second side of the Alero. Install the front wheels and tighten the lug nuts snug with your tire iron. Raise the car off the jack stands, and remove them from beneath the car.

13

Lower the Alero to the ground. Immediately tighten the axle nut to 173 foot-pounds if the nut is a solid sided new-style nut. Tighten the nut to 284 foot-pounds if the nut has small hole-like recesses in the outer sides. Use your 1/2-inch torque wrench and spindle socket for torque. Tighten the wheel lug nuts to 100 foot-pounds, using your torque wrench and a wheel nut socket.