How to Change Right Front Wheel Hub on a 2001 Chevrolet 1500 4WD

The 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 was produced with 27 trim package options, 11 of which were four-wheel drive trim packages. The base model 2001 Silverado 1500 with four-wheel drive was equipped with a 4.3-liter V-6 engine. Three optional engines for the 2001 Silverado 1500 four-wheel drive included a 4.8-liter V-8, 5.3-liter V-8 and 6.0-liter V-8. The front wheel hubs on the 2001 SIlverado 1500 four-wheel drive has hub bearings on the front of the truck, which include the hub assembly, wheel bearing and electronic ABS wheel sensors. Extra care should be taken for the ABS sensor wiring on these hubs.

Instructions

1

Loosen the front wheel lug nuts from the wheel on which you are replacing the hub bearing, using a tire iron. Raise the front of the truck, using a 2-ton jack. Place jack stand beneath the front chassis rails, on either side of the engine. Lower the truck onto the jack stands. Remove the wheel lug nuts, then remove the wheel and tire assembly.

2

Pry the grease cap from the rotor, using a small prying tool or flat-head screwdriver. Ask your assistant to step inside the truck and press on the brake pedal carefully. Loosen the center axle nut, using a 1/2-inch-drive breaker bar and spindle nut socket. Ask your assistant to exit the vehicle once the axle nut is loose.

3

Insert a small pry bar between the rotor and the front inboard lip of the caliper. Pry the caliper slightly outward to release the brake pads from the rotor. Remove the caliper bracket mounting bolts from behind the steering knuckle, using a 1/2-inch-drive ratchet and socket. Remove the brake caliper bracket and caliper as one unit and hang the assembly from the front coil spring with a metal clothes hanger. Remove the brake rotor by hand.

4

Insert a three-jaw puller around the outside of the hub bearing assembly's raised face. Insert the threaded center bolt of the puller onto to center at the end of the axle shaft. Tighten the puller, using a ratchet and socket, until the axle moves freely within the wheel hub bearing.

5

Remove the three three hub-to-spindle bolts, accessible from the rear of the spindle assembly, using a 1/2-inch-drive breaker bar and socket.

6

Disconnect the ABS wheel sensor wiring harness from the connector, near the front coil spring.

7

Remove the hub assembly and shim plate from the spindle. .

8

Clean the hub bearing mounting surfaces of the spindle, using a wire brush. Apply a thin coating of grease onto the face of the spindle and the large hub mounting hole in the spindle. Apply a thin coat of grease to the outer and inner surfaces of the new hub bearing and the outer splines of the axle shaft.

9

Insert the hub bearing shim plate onto the spindle. Feed the ABS sensor wire harness through the large mounting hole in the spindle. Install the new hub bearing over the front axle shaft while holding the inboard side of the shaft, behind the spindle. Install the new hub bearing onto the spindle.

10

Install the three new hub bearing mounting bolts. Use your 1/2-inch-drive ratchet and socket to tighten the bolts snug. Install a new axle nut onto the axle, and tighten it snug with your 1/2-inch-drive ratchet and a spindle nut socket.Torque all three mounting bolts to 133 foot-pounds with a 1/2-inch-drive torque wrench and socket. Connect the ABS sensor connector to the electrical connector on the truck.

11

Install the brake rotor onto the new hub assembly, and spin a single lug nut onto the wheel stud, and against the face of the new rotor. Install the caliper and mounting bracket over the rotor. Install the mounting bracket bolts and tighten them to 121 foot-pounds, using a 1/2-inch-drive torque wrench and a socket. Spray the entire brake assembly with aerosol brake cleaner to remove excess grease and fingerprints from the rotor faces.

12

Ask an assistant to press and hold the brake pedal, then tighten the axle nut to 155 foot-pounds of torque with your torque wrench and spindle nut socket. Install the grease cover over onto the rotor and tap it in place using a rubber mallet if needed.

13

Install the front wheels and tighten the lug nuts snug with your tire iron. Raise the front of the truck off of the jack stands, then remove the stands from beneath the truck. Lower the Silverado 1500 to the ground.

14

Tighten the front wheel lug nuts to 140 foot-pounds of torque, with the torque wrench and a wheel nut socket.