How to Install a 598A Taper Bearing

Commonly used for automotive wheel bearings, tapered bearings are conical shaped, with an outer diameter that decreases from one end to the other. Part number 598A taper bearings are a specific bearing size, with a bore width of 3.6250 inches, and a weight of 1.88 pounds. Bearings eventually wear out and, in extreme cases, can possibly seize. Installing new tapered wheel bearings is a relatively easy task, accomplished one wheel at a time with tools found in most home-mechanic's tool boxes.

Instructions

1

Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel where the tapered bearing is being installed. After the lug nuts are loosened, jack up the car at the wheel being worked on and place a jack stand at the wheel assembly. Carefully lower the auto onto the jack stand.

2

Remove the lug nuts and take the wheel off the vehicle.

3

Take the calipers off the brake discs. Loosen the Allen fittings with a socket wrench and Allen-head socket until the calipers come off the brake disc. Hang the calipers on one of the control arms behind the wheel assembly.

4

Pry the center wheel hub cover with a screwdriver. This exposes the castle nut and cotter pin. Flatten the cotter pin ends together using a pair of pliers and pull the cotter pin out of the castle nut. Remove the castle nut -- it looks like a castle turret -- with a breaker bar and the appropriate socket. Nut sizes vary between automobile models.

5

Pull out the taper bearing with your hand and take the brake disc off of the vehicle. Pop out the old bearing seal with a screwdriver, and throw it out. Clean the inside with cleaning solvent, allowing it to dry completely.

6

Pack the new 598A taper bearing with wheel bearing grease. Scoop up a good amount of grease into your hands and pack the bearing by completely greasing the inside of the bearing with your hands.

7

Place the new seal in the center hole and gently tap it into place using a rubber mallet. Spread some bearing grease into the inner race of the seal and place the taper bearing inside. Replace the brake disc and reinstall the castle nut, tightening it until snug. Install a new cotter pin and tap the center hub cover in place with the rubber mallet.

8

Refasten the calipers to the brake disc, then put the wheel back on the vehicle, tightening the lug nuts until snug. Jack the car up to remove the jack stand, and lower the car to the ground.