How to Repair a Wheel Hub Assembly on a 1993 Dodge Grand Caravan

The 1993 Dodge Grand Caravan has a sealed bearing setup for the front wheel bearings, which means the front hub must be replaced any time the bearing needs replacement. Replacing the front hub assembly requires removing the CV shaft from the hub and steering knuckle and replacing the CV shaft seal at the steering knuckle.

Instructions

Removal

1

Park the vehicle on a level surface and set the parking brake. Remove the hubcap or center cap (if equipped). Remove the cotter pin securing the nut lock to the hub nut with the pliers. Remove the nut lock.

2

Break loose the hub nut with the 3-foot breaker bar and socket. Break loose the lug nuts with the lug wrench.

3

Lift the front of the vehicle into the air with the floor jack. Place the jack stands under the front frame rails of the vehicle and lower the floor jack until the vehicle rests securely on the jack stands. Remove the floor jack.

4

Remove the lug nuts. Remove the wheel and tire from the vehicle and set them aside. Remove the hub nut and spring washer from the hub and drive shaft.

5

Attach the outer tie-rod removal tool to the steering knuckle and tie-rod end. Rotate the push bolt with the socket and ratchet until the tie-rod end separates from the steering knuckle.

6

Remove the caliper guide pins with the socket and ratchet. Remove the caliper from the knuckle and rotor. Support the caliper with the mechanics wire tied to the front suspension. Do not allow the caliper to hang by the rubber brake hose.

7

Remove the lower ball joint clamp bolt with the socket and ratchet; use a box-end wrench to hold the nut steady when removing the clamp bolt. Use a pry bar to help separate the ball joint from the steering knuckle by prying them apart. Pull the knuckle assembly toward the outside of the vehicle enough to remove the CV shaft from the wheel hub. Support the CV shaft to the suspension system with the mechanics wire. Do not allow the CV shaft to hang freely or damage will occur.

8

Remove the four bolts that secure the wheel hub to the steering knuckle with the socket and ratchet. Remove the wheel hub from the steering knuckle. Remove the wear sleeve from the rear of the steering knuckle. Remove the CV shaft seal from the back of the steering knuckle with the pry bar. Clean the mating surface on the steering knuckle with a wire brush so that it is completely smooth.

Installation

9

Set the new hub assembly into place on the steering knuckle. Install the rear bolts and tighten them enough to support the hub on the knuckle. Tighten the hub mounting bolts to 45 foot-pounds with the torque wrench in a crisscross pattern.

10

Place the new seal into position on the back of the steering knuckle. Drive the seal into place evenly with the seal installer tool. Place a thin layer of wheel bearing grease on the new seal and the wear sleeve. Set the wear sleeve into the seal and knuckle assembly.

11

Remove the mechanics wire supporting the CV shaft and spline the CV shaft through the steering knuckle into the wheel hub.

12

Pull down the lower control arm with the pry bar and slide the lower ball joint stud into the steering knuckle. Ensure the groove in the stud lines up with the hole in the ball joint clamp. Install the ball joint clamp bolt and nut. Torque the bolt to 70 foot-pounds with the torque wrench while holding the nut steady with a box-end wrench.

13

Clean the tie-rod end threads with the wire brush and set the tie-rod end into the steering knuckle. Hand thread the castle nut onto the tie-rod end. Tighten the castle nut to 35 foot-pounds with the torque wrench. Place a new cotter pin through the castle nut and tie-rod end and bend it around the castle nut.

14

Slide the brake rotor over the new hub assembly, taking care to not drag the rotor across the wheel studs. Remove the mechanics wire from the brake caliper and slide the caliper onto the rotor. Pry the hold-down clamp down so that it goes around the machined hold-down ledge on the steering knuckle. Tighten the caliper guide pins to 26 foot-pounds of torque with the torque wrench.

15

Install the spring washer over the threaded CV shaft sticking through the hub assembly. Hand-thread the hub nut onto the CV shaft.

16

Ensure all mechanics wire has been removed from the suspension, brake caliper, and CV shaft. Place the wheel and tire onto the new wheel hub and hand-tighten the lug nuts.

17

Lift the front of the vehicle into the air with the floor jack and remove the jack stands from under the vehicle. Lower the vehicle to the ground.

18

Tighten the hub nut to 180 foot-pounds with the torque wrench. Tighten the lug nuts to 85 foot pounds of torque. Place the nut guard over the the hub nut and thread it into place. Push a new cotter pin through the holes in the nut guard and wrap the cotter pin around the nut guard tight. Replace the hub cap or center cap (if equipped)