How to Replace the Front Wheel Bearings on a 2001 Chevrolet S-10 4X4

The 2001 Chevrolet S-10 was available in two-wheel and four-wheel drive formats. The two-wheel drive base 2001 S-10 was equipped with a 2.2-liter inline four-cylinder engine, with an optional 4.3-liter V-6 engine as an upgrade. The four-wheel drive 2001 S-10 was available only with the V-6. The front wheel bearings on the 2001 S-10 differ between the two-wheel and four-wheel drive types. Replacement of the bearings for each drive type requires removal and installation of other parts attached to the spindle knuckles.

Instructions

Two-Wheel Drive Front Hub Bearing Replacement

1

Loosen the front lug nuts by using a tire iron. Raise the front of the S-10 with a jack. Place jack stands beneath the front frame rails, just inward from the lower control arms. Lower the S-10 onto the jack stands. Remove the lug nuts from the front wheels completely, then remove the front wheels from the truck.

2

Remove the caliper mounting bolts from one side of the truck by using a ratchet and socket. Insert a small pry bar into the opening on the caliper body, and brace the tip of the pry bar against the rotor. Push the caliper outward with the pry bar to slightly compress the front caliper piston, for ease of removal and installation. Pull the caliper off the brake assembly, and hang the caliper from the front coil spring with a metal clothes hanger. Do not let the caliper hang from the rubber hose to which it is attached.

3

Remove the caliper mounting bracket bolts from the rear of the spindle knuckle by using a 1/2-inch drive ratchet and socket. Pull the caliper bracket free from the spindle and set it out of your work area.

4

Remove the center dust cap from the end of the hub by using a flat-head screwdriver to pry the cap free. Set the cap, with the opening upward, on the ground. Pull the cotter pin out of the stub axle and axle nut by using pliers. Remove the nut from the end of the stub axle by using a 1/2-inch drive ratchet and socket. Pull the brake rotor slightly forward off the stub axle, to loosen the spacer and outer hub bearing. Remove the hub bearing and spacer by hand. Remove the brake rotor completely from the truck.

5

Set the rotor, with the inboard side facing upward, on a piece of cardboard or a thick towel. Pull the rear oil seal from the rotor by using a flat-head screwdriver. Pull the rear wheel bearing and spacer from the back of the rotor, by hand.

6

Inspect the bearing races on the inboard and outboard sides of the rotor. If the races have any scarring or dents, remove the bearing races with a bearing race puller J 29117-A or equivalent. Apply grease to the inner rotor mounts, then install new races with a bearing press tool if needed. If the bearing races are in good condition, skip this step and proceed to Step 7.

7

Dip the new inner bearing into a tub of high-temperature bearing grease, making sure to thoroughly coat the roller bearings, cage and cone. Install the new inner bearing and spacer on the inboard side of the rotor hub assembly, by hand. Pack the entire rotor hub assembly with high-temperature bearing grease.

8

Install the rotor hub assembly on the stub axle. Pack the new outer thoroughly with grease, then install the bearing and spacer washer on the axle. Pack the inside of the rotor hub assembly with more grease. Install the axle nut by hand to ensure proper threading. Tighten the axle nut to 12 foot-pounds by using a 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and spindle nut socket. Insert the cotter pin through the nut and spindle shaft. If the cotter pin hole is not aligned, tighten the nut until the holes align. Never loosen a nut to fit a cotter pin.

9

Install the dust cap on the hub assembly, and push it in place by hand. Install the front caliper bracket and tighten the bolts to 52 foot-pounds by using the 1/2-inch torque wrench and a socket. Install the caliper with the pads on the caliper bracket, and tighten the caliper bolts to 38 foot-pounds.

10

Repeat Steps 2 to 9 to complete the wheel bearing replacement on the second side of the S-10. Install the front wheels and tighten the lug nuts until snug by using a tire iron. Raise the S-10 off the jack stands, then lower the S-10. Tighten the front lug nuts to 100 foot-pounds of torque by using the 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and a wheel nut socket. Sit in the driver's seat and pump the brake pedal to set the pads and rotors back together properly.

Four-Wheel Drive, Front Hub Bearing Replacment

11

Remove the center cap from the wheel by using a flat-head screwdriver. Remove the cotter pin from the axle nut by using pliers. Insert a spindle nut socket into the center bore of the wheel, on the axle nut. Loosen the axle nut counterclockwise by using a 1/2-inch drive breaker bar. Loosen the front lug nuts by using a tire iron. Raise the front of the S-10 with a jack. Place jack stands beneath the front frame rails, just inward from the lower control arms. Lower the S-10 onto the jack stands.

12

Remove the lug nuts completely from the front wheels, then remove the front wheels from the truck. Insert a small pry bar into the hole in the outer body of the caliper, and press the bar against the rotor. Push the caliper body outward to slightly compress the caliper piston, for easier removal and installation.

13

Remove the caliper mounting bracket bolts from the rear of the steering knuckle by using a 1/2-inch drive ratchet and socket. Pull the caliper pads and bracket off in one piece, using the pry bar if needed. Hang the assembly from the front coil spring by using a metal clothes hanger.

14

Remove the brake rotor from the hub by hand. Spin the axle nut counterclockwise until the outer ridge of the nut aligns with the end of the axle. Hit the axle straight inward with a large rubber mallet, to loosen the axle from the hub bearing. If the axle is stuck, install a three-claw puller around the hub bearing, with the spline bolt in the center of the axle. Tighten the puller to push the axle inward through the hub bearing until it is loose, and you can move it easily by hand.

15

Remove the axle nut completely from the end of the axle. Remove the outer tie rod nut from the ball stud by using a ratchet and socket. Gently pry the ball stud upward and out of the steering knuckle to completely separate the tie rod and steering knuckle. Turn the entire spindle assembly so that the front edge of the hub bearing is facing inward, and the rear facing edge of the bearing is out. Remove the wheel speed sensor and wiring from the hub bearing by using a 3/8-inch drive ratchet and socket.

16

Remove the three hub mounting bolts from the rear of the steering knuckle by using a 3/8-inch drive ratchet, socket, extension and u-joint swivel attachment. Push the CV axle inward slightly to access the bottom bolt near the CV boot. Pull the hub bearing free from the spindle knuckle by hand. If the hub will not move, strike the outer flange of the hub by using a hammer outwardly. Remove the hub assembly from the S-10 by hand. Remove the dust shield and seal from behind the hub assembly by hand.

17

Clean the large inner hub mounting hole on the steering knuckle by using 80-grit metal sandpaper. Wipe the metal debris off the knuckle by using a towel or rag. Apply a coating of grease to the inner mounting hole on the knuckle, as well as the outer splined end of the CV axle. Install the hub assembly dust shield and seal onto the spindle knuckle after everything is properly cleaned and lubricated. Add a light coating of grease to the outward face of the shield.

18

Insert the new hub bearing over the CV axle while pushing the CV axle outward into the hub bearing from behind. Make sure the wheel speed sensor is facing upward and toward the rear of the S-10. Install a new axle nut on the end of the axle by hand, to ensure proper threading. Turn the nut on the axle to lock it in place. Install the mounting bolts from behind the hub assembly, and tighten the bolts to 77 foot-pounds. Use a 1/2-inch drive torque wrench, socket, extension and u-joint swivel to tighten the bolts.

19

Install the wheel speed sensor on the new hub bearing assembly, and tighten it snugly with a 3/8-inch drive ratchet and socket. Install the brake rotor by hand over the new hub assembly. Install the caliper and bracket, and tighten the bracket bolts to 52 foot-pounds by using the torque wrench and a socket.

20

Repeat Steps 3 to 9 to complete the hub bearing replacement on the second side of the S-10. Install the front wheels on the S-10, and tighten the lug nuts snugly by using a tire iron. Raise the truck off the jack stands, and remove the stand from beneath the S-10. Lower the truck to the ground.

21

Tighten the lug nuts to 100 foot-pounds of torque by using a 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and a wheel nut socket. Tighten the axle nut to 103 foot-pounds of torque by using a 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and spindle nut socket. Sit in the driver's seat of the S-10 and pump the brake pedal to reset the pads and rotors.