🔧 Wheel Bearing Hub Assembly - Replacement

On your Silverado, the front wheel bearing is part of a sealed hub assembly. That means you replace the whole hub, not the bearing by itself. If you have a humming noise, play in the wheel, or ABS light issues, this is usually the correct repair for the front axle.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on level ground and chock the rear wheels before lifting the truck.
• Use jack stands under the frame. Never rely on the floor jack alone.
• The brake rotor and caliper may be heavy. Support the caliper so the brake hose is not stretched.
• The hub assembly is tied to the ABS system. Do not damage the wheel speed sensor or its wiring.
• If the truck has rust in the hub area, use care when removing the hub. It may release suddenly.

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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
• Mechanic gloves
• 19mm socket
• 21mm socket
• 13mm socket
• 15mm socket
• 18mm socket
• Breaker bar
• Ratchet
• Torque wrench
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Bungee cord or brake caliper hanger
• Rubber mallet
• Penetrating oil
• Wire brush
• Hub puller or slide hammer (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front wheel hub and bearing assembly - Qty: 2, replace in pairs
• Front wheel speed sensor connector clip - Qty: 2, if damaged
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1 can

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on a flat surface, set the parking brake, and chock the rear wheels.
• Loosen the lug nuts before lifting the truck.
• If the hub area is rusty, spray the hub-to-knuckle area with penetrating oil and let it soak.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and secure the truck

• Use a floor jack to lift the front of the truck.
• Support it with jack stands placed under the frame.
• Remove the wheel using a 19mm socket or 21mm socket, depending on lug nut size.

Step 2: Remove the brake caliper and rotor

• Use a 13mm socket to remove the caliper slide bolts.
• Lift the caliper off and hang it with a bungee cord or brake caliper hanger.
• Use a 15mm socket to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Pull the rotor off the hub. If it is stuck, tap it with a rubber mallet.

Step 3: Disconnect the ABS sensor wiring

• Locate the wheel speed sensor wire on the back of the hub.
• Unclip the harness from the knuckle using a flat blade screwdriver if needed.
• Unplug the connector carefully. Do not pull on the wire.

Step 4: Remove the hub bolts

• Use an 18mm socket and breaker bar to remove the hub mounting bolts from the back of the knuckle.
• If the bolts are tight, apply more penetrating oil and work them back and forth.
• Clean bolt heads first.

Step 5: Remove the hub assembly

• Pull the hub straight out from the knuckle.
• If it is seized, use a hub puller or slide hammer (specialty) to break it free.
• Clean the mounting surface on the knuckle with a wire brush.

Step 6: Install the new hub assembly

• Position the new hub into the knuckle.
• Install the hub bolts by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use an 18mm socket and torque wrench to tighten the hub bolts to 177 Nm (130 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Reinstall the ABS wiring, rotor, and brake parts

• Reconnect the ABS sensor wire and clip it into place.
• Reinstall the rotor.
• Install the caliper bracket with a 15mm socket and torque to 200 Nm (148 ft-lbs).
• Install the caliper slide bolts with a 13mm socket and torque to 31 Nm (23 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Reinstall the wheel

• Mount the wheel and hand-start the lug nuts.
• Lower the truck and torque the lug nuts with a torque wrench to 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• Pump the brake pedal until it feels firm before moving the truck.
• Start the truck and check for ABS warning lights.
• Road test at low speed first. Listen for noise and feel for vibration.
• Recheck lug nut torque after the test drive.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$900 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $120-$260 (parts only)

You Save: $330-$640 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-3 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.