How to Replace a Wheel Hub on a 1995 LeSabre

The 1995 Buick LeSabre was equipped with a transverse mounted 3.8-liter V-6 engine. Built on the General Motors H-body platform, the LeSabre shares many parts with the Oldsmobile 88 and Pontiac Bonneville. The front axles on the LeSabre are supported by a hub-and-bearing assembly that attaches to the steering knuckle. The hub assembly must be replaced as a unit.

Instructions

Removal

1

Park the LeSabre on a level, paved surface and set the parking brake. Use a breaker bar and socket to loosen the hub nut a few turns. Loosen the lug nuts. Raise the front of the LeSabre with a jack and support with jack stands. Remove the lug nuts and wheel. Remove the hub nut with a ratchet and socket. Discard the nut.

2

Remove the Torx-head bolts that hold the caliper to the steering knuckle with a ratchet and Torx bit. Pull the caliper off of the rotor and support with a piece of wire tied to the strut spring. Disconnect the ABS sensor at the dust shield. Remove the connector from the shield.

3

Slide the rotor off of the hub. Remove the three Torx-head bolts that hold the hub onto the steering knuckle with a ratchet, extension and Torx bit. Slide the bit and extension through the hole in the hub flange to access the bolts.

4

Attach a three-jaw puller to the hub flange and pull the hub off of the axle. You only have to pull the hub off about 1/2 inch with the puller, then you can remove it by hand. Note the orientation of the ABS connector so you can position the new hub in the same manner. If the hub will not come out of the steering knuckle, use a rubber mallet to tap the flange. Remove the hub and dust shield.

5

Clean the flange surfaces of the dust shield and steering knuckle with a shop rag dampened with lacquer thinner. If there is corrosion or rust on the steering knuckle, clean it with a scouring pad.

Installation

6

Apply a thin layer of wheel-bearing grease to the hole in the steering knuckle. Push the hub into the knuckle, at the same time guiding the axle into the hub. Make sure the ABS connector is properly positioned.

7

Attach a new hub nut to the axle and use a ratchet and socket to pull the axle onto the hub. You will torque the nut later. Install the dust shield and bolts to the hub. Use a torque wrench to torque the bolts to 70 foot-pounds. Tighten each bolt a little bit at a time.

8

Attach the ABS connector to the dust shield and reconnect it to the harness. Install the caliper and bolts. Torque the bolts to 38 foot-pounds.

9

Install the wheel and lug nuts. Raise the LeSabre, remove the jack stands and lower it to the ground. Torque lug nuts to 100 foot-pounds.. Torque the hub nut to 107 foot-pounds.