🔧 Grand Cherokee - Rear Wheel Bearing Replacement

This repair replaces the rear wheel hub and bearing assembly on your Grand Cherokee. The rear bearing is built into the hub assembly, so the complete hub is replaced rather than pressing the bearing out separately.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-3 hours per side

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a flat, solid surface only. Never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Use jack stands before putting any part of your body near the wheel area.
• ⚠️ The rear brakes use an electronic parking brake system. Do not force the rear caliper piston back without putting the parking brake into service mode first.
• ⚠️ Disconnecting the battery is not normally required, but keep the ignition OFF while unplugging the wheel speed sensor.
• ⚠️ Brake dust can be harmful. Do not blow it with compressed air.
• ⚠️ Replace the axle nut. It is a one-time-use fastener.

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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
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench (250 ft-lb minimum)
• 3/8-inch drive torque wrench
• 22mm socket
• 36mm axle nut socket
• 13mm socket
• 15mm socket
• 18mm socket
• 21mm socket
• 8mm Allen socket
• Ratchet set
• Socket extension set
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Trim clip removal tool
• Needle nose pliers
• Dead blow hammer
• Brass punch
• Hub puller kit (specialty)
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• Bungee cord
• Paint marker
• OBD scan tool with EPB service mode (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear wheel hub and bearing assembly - Qty: 1 per side
• Rear axle nut - Qty: 1 per side
• Rear brake rotor retaining screw - Qty: 1 per side if damaged
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1 can
• Anti-seize compound - Qty: 1 small tube

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Grand Cherokee on level ground, shift to PARK, and place wheel chocks in front of the front wheels.
• Do not set the parking brake once you are ready to service the rear brakes.
• Use an OBD scan tool with EPB service mode. EPB means electronic parking brake, which uses a motor at the rear brake caliper instead of a hand lever cable.
• Put the rear parking brake into service mode using the scan tool before removing the rear caliper.
• Loosen the rear axle nut and wheel lug nuts while the tire is still touching the ground.
• Assumption: this procedure is for one rear side. Repeat the same steps on the opposite side if replacing both rear bearings.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Put the Parking Brake in Service Mode

• Use the OBD scan tool with EPB service mode and follow the tool menu for Electronic Parking Brake > Service Mode / Maintenance Mode.
• Wait until the tool confirms the rear parking brake motors are fully retracted.
• Turn the ignition OFF after service mode is active.
• Do not skip this step.

Step 2: Loosen the Wheel and Axle Nut

• Use the 22mm socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen the rear wheel lug nuts about one turn.
• Use the 36mm axle nut socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen the rear axle nut while the tire is still on the ground.
• If the axle nut is staked, use a flat blade screwdriver or brass punch to lift the staked area before loosening it. Staking means the nut edge is bent into a groove to lock it in place.

Step 3: Raise and Support the Rear of the Vehicle

• Use the floor jack to lift the rear of your Grand Cherokee at the approved rear lift point.
• Place jack stands under the approved rear support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the stands and lightly shake the body to confirm it is stable.
• Use the 22mm socket to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove the rear wheel and set it flat under the vehicle as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Remove the Rear Brake Caliper

• Use the 13mm socket to remove the rear caliper guide pin bolts.
• Slide the caliper off the rotor by hand.
• Use a bungee cord to hang the caliper from the suspension spring or control arm.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose.

Step 5: Remove the Caliper Bracket

• Use the 18mm socket and breaker bar to remove the rear caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket and set it aside.
• During reassembly, tighten the caliper bracket bolts to Torque to 130 Nm (96 ft-lbs).

Step 6: Remove the Rear Brake Rotor

• Use the 8mm Allen socket to remove the rotor retaining screw if equipped.
• Pull the rotor straight off by hand.
• If stuck, tap around the rotor hat with a dead blow hammer. The rotor hat is the raised center section of the brake rotor.
• Use brake cleaner to control dust instead of blowing dust away.

Step 7: Unplug the Wheel Speed Sensor

• Locate the rear wheel speed sensor wiring near the hub area.
• Use the trim clip removal tool to release any harness clips from the knuckle.
• Use your fingers or needle nose pliers to unlock the connector tab and unplug the sensor harness.
• Do not pull on the wires.

Step 8: Remove the Axle Nut

• Use the 36mm axle nut socket and breaker bar to remove the axle nut fully.
• Discard the old axle nut.
• Use a paint marker to mark the axle end position for reference.

Step 9: Free the Axle from the Hub

• Thread the old axle nut back on a few turns to protect the axle threads.
• Use the brass punch and dead blow hammer to tap the axle inward until it moves freely in the hub splines.
• Splines are the small ridges that lock the axle and hub together while still allowing removal.
• Remove the old axle nut again.

Step 10: Remove the Hub Mounting Bolts

• From the back side of the knuckle, use the 15mm socket, ratchet, and socket extensions to remove the rear hub mounting bolts.
• Support the hub with one hand as the final bolt comes out.
• If access is tight, turn the hub by hand to line up clearance around the bolt heads.

Step 11: Remove the Old Hub and Bearing Assembly

• Pull the hub straight out from the knuckle.
• If it is rusted in place, attach the hub puller kit and remove it evenly.
• Use the dead blow hammer only on the old hub, not on the aluminum knuckle.
• Take your time with rust.

Step 12: Clean the Mounting Surface

• Use the wire brush to clean rust and debris from the knuckle where the hub sits.
• Spray the area with brake cleaner and wipe it dry.
• Apply a very thin film of anti-seize compound to the hub bore only.
• Do not put anti-seize on bolt threads unless the fastener instructions specifically say to.

Step 13: Install the New Hub and Bearing Assembly

• Slide the new rear wheel hub and bearing assembly into the knuckle by hand.
• Align the axle splines through the center of the hub.
• Start all hub mounting bolts by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 15mm socket and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the hub mounting bolts evenly.
• Tighten the hub mounting bolts to Torque to 95 Nm (70 ft-lbs).

Step 14: Install the New Axle Nut

• Install the new rear axle nut by hand.
• Use the 36mm axle nut socket to snug the nut while the vehicle is still raised.
• Final torque will be done after the wheel is installed and the tire is on the ground.

Step 15: Reconnect the Wheel Speed Sensor

• Plug the wheel speed sensor connector back in until it clicks.
• Use the trim clip removal tool if needed to reseat the harness clips into their original mounting points.
• Make sure the wire is not rubbing the rotor, axle, or suspension.

Step 16: Reinstall the Brake Rotor

• Slide the rotor back over the wheel studs by hand.
• If equipped, install the rotor retaining screw with the 8mm Allen socket.
• Tighten the rotor retaining screw to Torque to 10 Nm (89 in-lbs).

Step 17: Reinstall the Caliper Bracket and Caliper

• Install the caliper bracket over the rotor.
• Use the 18mm socket and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the bracket bolts to Torque to 130 Nm (96 ft-lbs).
• Slide the brake caliper back over the rotor and pads.
• Use the 13mm socket and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the caliper guide pin bolts to Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 18: Reinstall the Wheel

• Lift the wheel onto the studs by hand.
• Install the lug nuts finger-tight first.
• Use the 22mm socket to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Raise the vehicle slightly with the floor jack, remove the jack stands, and lower the tire to the ground.

Step 19: Final Torque the Axle Nut and Lug Nuts

• With the tire on the ground, use the 36mm axle nut socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the axle nut to Torque to 229 Nm (169 ft-lbs).
• If the new axle nut is a staked style, use the brass punch to stake the nut into the axle groove.
• Use the 22mm socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the wheel lug nuts in a star pattern to Torque to 176 Nm (130 ft-lbs).

Step 20: Exit Parking Brake Service Mode

• Use the OBD scan tool with EPB service mode to exit Electronic Parking Brake > Service Mode / Maintenance Mode.
• Wait until the tool confirms the electronic parking brake has returned to normal operation.
• Cycle the parking brake switch once to confirm it applies and releases normally.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Pump the brake pedal several times before driving. The pedal should feel firm.
• ✅ Check that the ABS, traction control, and brake warning lights turn off after startup.
• ✅ Drive slowly at first and listen for grinding, humming, clicking, or scraping.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after 25-50 miles.
• ✅ If an ABS light stays on, scan for wheel speed sensor codes and recheck the sensor connector.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$750 per side (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $150-$300 per side (parts only)

You Save: $300-$450 per side by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.5 hours per side.

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