How to Install Rear Wheel Hubs & Bearings on a PT Cruiser

by Don Bowman

The rear wheel bearings are permanently sealed units within the hub and not serviceable on a PT Cruiser. A failure of the hub bearing requires replacement. The hub, however, requires several special tools and a heavy-duty press to remove the pressed in hub bearing. These tools are not normally found except in machine shops or service facilities. Removing the hub and sending it out to a facility that has these tools is the easiest and cheapest way to perform this job.

Step 1

Raise and support the rear of the vehicle on jack stands. Remove the rear wheels using the ½-inch air gun and a socket.

Step 2

Remove the brake caliper by removing the two bolts holding the caliper to the mounting bracket using the 3/8-inch ratchet and a socket. Pull the rotor off the hub.

Step 3

Remove the torque strut. This is the rod forward of the hub and is attached to the frame and the hub. Use the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket and remove the bolt at the hub. Remove the nut on the lower ball joint with a wrench.

Step 4

Separate the hub from the lower control arm by inserting the ball joint and tie rod end remover tool between the hub and the lower control arm. Strike the tool with a hammer until the ball joint separates from the control arm.

Step 5

Remove the two large bolts and nuts holding the strut to the hub assembly using the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket on one end and a wrench on the other. Take the hub assembly to a machine shop or other facility to have the bearing pressed out and in.