🔧 Wheel Bearings - All Four Replacement

This job replaces the front wheel bearing/hub assemblies and rear wheel bearing/hub assemblies on your Highlander. A bad wheel bearing can growl, hum, vibrate, or cause ABS/wheel-speed sensor issues, and replacing all four restores smooth rotation at each wheel.

Difficulty Level: Advanced | Estimated Time: 6-10 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support your Highlander only with jack stands on solid, level ground. Never work under a vehicle held by a jack alone.
• ⚠️ The axle nuts and hub bolts are very tight. Use a breaker bar carefully so the vehicle does not shift.
• ⚠️ Do not let brake calipers hang by the brake hoses. Hang each caliper with mechanic’s wire or a caliper hanger.
• ⚠️ Avoid pulling, twisting, or striking ABS wheel-speed sensor wiring. The sensor reads wheel speed for ABS and stability control.
• ⚠️ Replace axle nuts and any single-use hub fasteners if supplied with the new hubs.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not normally required for this repair.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Breaker bar 1/2-inch drive
• Torque wrench 1/2-inch drive 250 ft-lb minimum
• Torque wrench 3/8-inch drive 100 ft-lb minimum
• Impact wrench 1/2-inch drive
• 21mm socket
• 30mm 12-point axle nut socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 19mm socket
• 10mm socket
• Ratchet 1/2-inch drive
• Ratchet 3/8-inch drive
• 6-inch extension 3/8-inch drive
• 6-inch extension 1/2-inch drive
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Needle-nose pliers
• Ball-peen hammer 24 oz
• Dead-blow hammer 3 lb
• Hub puller kit (specialty)
• Slide hammer hub adapter (specialty)
• Axle pusher tool (specialty)
• Brake caliper hanger
• Wire brush
• Plastic scraper
• Brake cleaner aerosol
• Anti-seize compound brush
• Paint marker

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front wheel bearing and hub assembly - Qty: 2
• Rear wheel bearing and hub assembly - Qty: 2
• Front axle nut - Qty: 2
• Rear axle nut - Qty: 2 if AWD, Qty: 0 if FWD
• Hub mounting bolts - Qty: 16 if replacement bolts are supplied or required
• Brake cleaner aerosol - Qty: 2 cans
• Anti-seize compound - Qty: 1 small tube

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your Highlander on level ground, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks in front of and behind one tire that will stay on the ground while loosening lug nuts.
• 🛞 Loosen all four wheels’ lug nuts with a 21mm socket before lifting the vehicle.
• 🔩 If your rear hubs have axle nuts, your Highlander is AWD at the rear. If there are no rear axle nuts, follow the FWD rear path below.
• 📌 A hub puller is a tool that bolts to the wheel studs and pushes or pulls the hub free without damaging nearby parts.
• 📌 A torque wrench tightens fasteners to a measured value so parts are secure without being over-tightened.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen Lug Nuts and Axle Nuts

• Use a 21mm socket and breaker bar to loosen each wheel’s lug nuts about 1/2 turn while the tires are still on the ground.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver and needle-nose pliers to remove any axle nut stake or locking cap where equipped.
• Use a 30mm 12-point axle nut socket and breaker bar to loosen the front axle nuts.
• If rear axle nuts are present, use the 30mm 12-point axle nut socket and breaker bar to loosen the rear axle nuts.
• Loosen first, lift second.

Step 2: Raise and Support the Vehicle

• Use a floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift your Highlander at approved lift points.
• Place jack stands rated 3-ton minimum under the proper support points.
• Gently lower the vehicle onto the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Shake the vehicle lightly by hand to confirm it is stable before removing wheels.

Step 3: Remove the Wheels

• Use a 21mm socket and ratchet to remove all lug nuts.
• Remove all four wheels and place them flat away from the work area.

Step 4: Remove the Front Brake Calipers and Rotors

• Use a 14mm socket and ratchet to remove the front brake caliper slide bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and hang it with a brake caliper hanger.
• Use a 17mm socket and breaker bar to remove the front caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the caliper bracket.
• Slide the brake rotor off the hub. If stuck, tap the rotor hat with a dead-blow hammer.
• Torque front caliper bracket bolts on installation to 79 Nm (58 ft-lbs)
• Torque front caliper slide bolts on installation to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs)

Step 5: Disconnect Front ABS Sensor Wiring From the Hub Area

• Use a 10mm socket to remove the small ABS sensor bracket bolt if attached near the knuckle.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver gently to release wiring clips from the bracket.
• Move the wire aside without pulling on it.
• Never pry on the sensor body.

Step 6: Push the Front Axle Back From the Hub

• Remove the loosened axle nut fully using a 30mm 12-point axle nut socket and ratchet.
• Thread the old axle nut back on a few turns to protect the axle threads.
• Use an axle pusher tool or hub puller kit to press the axle inward through the hub splines.
• If needed, use a dead-blow hammer lightly on the protected axle nut only. Do not mushroom the axle threads.

Step 7: Remove the Front Hub Assembly

• From the back of the steering knuckle, use a 17mm socket, extension, and breaker bar to remove the four front hub mounting bolts.
• Use a hub puller kit or slide hammer hub adapter to pull the front hub assembly out of the knuckle.
• Use a wire brush and brake cleaner to clean the hub mounting surface.
• Use a plastic scraper to remove rust scale without gouging the knuckle.

Step 8: Install the New Front Hub Assembly

• Apply a very thin coat of anti-seize compound to the knuckle bore using an anti-seize compound brush.
• Position the new front wheel bearing and hub assembly into the knuckle by hand.
• Use a 17mm socket and ratchet to start all four hub mounting bolts by hand first.
• Use a torque wrench and 17mm socket to tighten the front hub mounting bolts evenly in a crisscross pattern.
• Torque front hub mounting bolts to 96 Nm (71 ft-lbs)
• Install a new front axle nut using a 30mm 12-point axle nut socket.
• Final axle nut torque is done after the wheel is on the ground.

Step 9: Reinstall Front Rotors and Calipers

• Slide the front brake rotor onto the new hub by hand.
• Install the front caliper bracket using a 17mm socket and torque wrench.
• Torque front caliper bracket bolts to 79 Nm (58 ft-lbs)
• Install the caliper over the rotor.
• Install the slide bolts using a 14mm socket and torque wrench.
• Torque front caliper slide bolts to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs)
• Reconnect ABS wire brackets using a 10mm socket.

Step 10: Remove Rear Brakes

• Use a 14mm socket and ratchet to remove the rear brake caliper slide bolts.
• Hang the rear caliper with a brake caliper hanger.
• Use a 17mm socket and breaker bar to remove the rear caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the rear brake rotor by hand.
• If the parking brake shoes hold the rotor, back off the adjuster through the access hole using a flat-blade screwdriver.
• Torque rear caliper bracket bolts on installation to 58 Nm (43 ft-lbs)
• Torque rear caliper slide bolts on installation to 27 Nm (20 ft-lbs)

Step 11A: Remove Rear Hub Assembly - FWD Rear Path

• If there is no rear axle nut, use a 10mm socket to release ABS sensor wire brackets near the rear hub.
• Use a 17mm socket, extension, and breaker bar to remove the four rear hub mounting bolts from the back side.
• Use a hub puller kit or slide hammer hub adapter to remove the rear hub from the rear knuckle.
• Use a wire brush, plastic scraper, and brake cleaner to clean the mounting face.

Step 11B: Remove Rear Hub Assembly - AWD Rear Path

• If a rear axle nut is present, remove it using a 30mm 12-point axle nut socket and ratchet.
• Thread the old axle nut back on a few turns to protect the axle threads.
• Use an axle pusher tool to push the rear axle inward through the hub splines.
• Use a 10mm socket to release ABS sensor wire brackets near the rear hub.
• Use a 17mm socket, extension, and breaker bar to remove the four rear hub mounting bolts from the back side.
• Use a hub puller kit or slide hammer hub adapter to remove the rear hub from the rear knuckle.
• Use a wire brush, plastic scraper, and brake cleaner to clean the mounting face.

Step 12: Install the New Rear Hub Assemblies

• Apply a very thin coat of anti-seize compound to the rear knuckle bore using an anti-seize compound brush.
• Position the new rear wheel bearing and hub assembly by hand.
• Use a 17mm socket and ratchet to start all rear hub mounting bolts by hand first.
• Use a torque wrench and 17mm socket to tighten the rear hub bolts evenly.
• Torque rear hub mounting bolts to 96 Nm (71 ft-lbs)
• If AWD, install new rear axle nuts with a 30mm 12-point axle nut socket. Final torque is done on the ground.
• Reconnect ABS wire brackets using a 10mm socket.

Step 13: Reinstall Rear Rotors and Calipers

• Slide the rear brake rotor onto the new hub by hand.
• If the rotor was tight from parking brake shoes, use a flat-blade screwdriver to readjust until the rotor turns with light drag.
• Install the rear caliper bracket using a 17mm socket and torque wrench.
• Torque rear caliper bracket bolts to 58 Nm (43 ft-lbs)
• Install the rear caliper over the rotor.
• Install rear caliper slide bolts using a 14mm socket and torque wrench.
• Torque rear caliper slide bolts to 27 Nm (20 ft-lbs)

Step 14: Reinstall Wheels

• Install each wheel by hand.
• Use a 21mm socket and ratchet to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Use the floor jack to raise your Highlander slightly and remove the jack stands.
• Lower the vehicle until the tires just touch the ground.

Step 15: Final Torque on Lug Nuts and Axle Nuts

• Use a torque wrench and 21mm socket to tighten all wheel lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque wheel lug nuts to 103 Nm (76 ft-lbs)
• Use a torque wrench and 30mm 12-point axle nut socket to tighten the front axle nuts.
• Torque front axle nuts to 294 Nm (217 ft-lbs)
• If AWD, use a torque wrench and 30mm 12-point axle nut socket to tighten the rear axle nuts.
• Torque rear axle nuts to 294 Nm (217 ft-lbs)
• Use a punch-style edge on the axle nut if supplied to stake it into the axle groove. Use a ball-peen hammer carefully.

Step 16: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Before moving the vehicle, press the brake pedal several times by foot until it feels firm.
• This seats the calipers back against the rotors after removal.
• No firm pedal, no driving.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Start your Highlander and check that the ABS, traction control, and brake warning lights turn off normally.
• ✅ Drive slowly in a safe area and listen for rubbing, clicking, humming, or grinding.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after 25-50 miles using a torque wrench and 21mm socket.
• ✅ If an ABS or traction light stays on, inspect each wheel-speed sensor connector and wire routing before driving farther.
• ✅ If the brake pedal feels soft or the vehicle pulls when braking, stop and inspect the brake caliper installation.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $1,600-$2,600 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $600-$1,200 (parts only)

You Save: $1,000-$1,400 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 5-8 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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