How to Change the Wheel Bearings on a 2005 Rendezvous

The 2005 Buick Rendezvous base model came with a 3.4-liter six-cylinder engine and an automatic transmission with front-wheel-drive. The front wheel bearings on the Rendezvous are sealed bearings, which means the wheel hub must be replaced any time the wheel bearing requires service. To remove the front hub assembly, it will be necessary to remove the brake system and the drive shaft for that particular wheel.

Instructions

Removal

1

Park the Rendezvous on a level surface and set the parking brake. Loosen the lug nuts for the wheel hub to be serviced, using a lug wrench.

2

Lift the front of the vehicle into the air with the floor jack and place the jack stands under the front sub-frame rails. Lower the floor jack until the vehicle rests securely on the jack stands. Remove the lug nuts and the wheel from the vehicle.

3

Disconnect the wheel speed sensor pig tail from the vehicle wiring harness. Remove the wheel speed sensor pig tail from the bracket it is attached to. Instruct your assistant to start the engine and apply the brake. Remove the wheel drive shaft nut with the breaker bar and socket. Instruct the helper to shut off the engine and exit the vehicle.

4

Remove the two bolts for the caliper bracket and remove the caliper and caliper bracket from the rotor. Hang the brake caliper and bracket from the suspension with the mechanics wire. Make sure the rubber brake hose does not twist or support the weight of the caliper at any time. Remove the rotor from the wheel hub. Place mechanics wire around the wheel drive shaft and wrap the mechanics wire around the suspension so that it can loosely support the drive shaft.

5

Install the spindle removal tool over the wheel hub so that three of the wheel studs extend through the holes in the tool arms. Install lug nuts over the studs that extend through the tool arms. Rotate the spindle push bolt clockwise with the socket and ratchet until the drive shaft is separated from the wheel hub splines.

6

Remove the wheel hub bolts with the socket and ratchet. Thread each hub bolt into the wheel hub three full rotations and tap the head of each bolt with a hammer to help push the hub out of the steering knuckle. Remove the three hub bolts and discard them. Remove the wheel bearing and bracket from the steering knuckle.

Installation

7

Hold the bracket in place on the steering knuckle and set the wheel hub into the steering knuckle. As the hub is positioned into the steering knuckle, the wheel drive shaft should be positioned through the wheel hub. Install the new wheel hub bolts and tighten to 96 foot-pounds with the torque wrench. Set the brake rotor onto the new wheel hub studs. Be careful not to drag the rotor across the wheel studs.

8

Position the brake caliper and caliper bracket over the brake rotor. Place a thin coat of thread locker onto the brake caliper bracket bolts. Install the caliper bracket bolts and tighten to 137 foot-pounds with the torque wrench. Instruct your helper to start the engine and hold the brake pedal. Install the wheel drive shaft nut and tighten to 192 foot-pounds with the torque wrench. Instruct the helper to shut off the engine and exit the vehicle.

9

Slide the wheel speed sensor pigtail onto the bracket. Connect the wheel speed sensor pigtail to the vehicle wiring harness. Install the wheel and tire onto the wheel hub. Install the lug nuts hand-tight. Remove the mechanics wire from around the suspension and wheel drive shaft.

10

Lift the vehicle off the jack stands with the floor jack and remove the jack stands. Lower the Rendezvous to the ground. Tighten the lug nuts to 100 foot-pounds with the torque wrench.