How to Replace a Nissan Altima Rear Hub Bearing
by Christian Killian
Replacing the rear hub assembly on a Nissan Altima becomes necessary if the bearing starts to show signs of wear. The hub and bearing are a sealed unit and not repairable except through replacement of the entire unit. Grinding noises, clicking or hanging all indicate a worn bearing and hub. Replacement hub assemblies can be purchased through any auto parts stores or Nissan dealership's parts department.
Step 1
Raise the rear of the car using a jack and support it under the frame using a set of jack stands. Remove the rear wheels using a lug wrench to remove the lug nuts and set them aside.
Step 2
Locate and remove the two brake caliper mounting bolts on the back of the caliper. Remove the bolts using a ratchet and socket then pull the brake caliper off the mounting bracket.
Step 3
Remove the brake rotor from the hub. Pull straight out on the rotor and slide it off the wheel studs. Set the rotor aside in a safe spot so that it does not become damaged.
Step 4
Locate the four mounting bolts that secure the hub. Remove the bolts using a wrench or socket and ratchet. Remove the hub by pulling it straight out of the knuckle. You may need to encourage the hub to come out with a dead blow hammer if it is seized into the knuckle.
Step 5
Install the new hub into the knuckle, making sure that it completely seated in the hole. Apply a small amount of thread locking compound to the threads on the hub mounting bolts and reinstall them. Torque the bolts to 70 foot-pounds with your torque wrench.
Step 6
Slide the rotor back onto the wheel studs and spin one lug nut onto one wheel stud to hold it in place. Reinstall the the brake caliper onto the caliper mounting bracket and install the mounting bolts. Torque the mounting bolts to 30 foot-pounds with a torque wrench.
Step 7
Remove the lug nut holding the rotor and slide the wheel onto the car. Install the lug nuts and tighten them until they are snug with a lug wrench. Remove the jack stands from under the car and use the jack to lower the car to the ground. Tighten the lug nuts with your lug wrench and test drive the car.
Tips
- When removing the brake caliper from the car, use a piece of heavy string or wire to support the caliper. Never let it hang on the rubber high-pressure hose or damage may occur to the hose.
Things You'll Need
- Jack
- Jack stands
- Lug wrench
- Metric socket set
- Metric wrenches
- Dead blow hammer
- Thread locking compound
- Torque wrench
Writer Bio
Christian Killian has been a freelance journalist/photojournalist since 2006. After many years of working in auto parts and service positions, Killian decided to move into journalism full-time. He has been published in "1st Responder News" as well as in other trade magazines and newspapers in the last few years.
