🔧 Altima - Front Wheel Bearing Replacement

On your Altima, the front wheel bearing is built into the wheel hub assembly. Replacing it means removing the wheel, brake parts, axle nut, and hub assembly, then installing a new hub with the correct torque so the bearing lasts.

Assumption: This procedure is for a front wheel bearing/hub assembly. Rear hub replacement is different.

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

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a flat, solid surface and never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Use jack stands before putting any part of your body near the wheel well.
• ⚠️ The front axle nut is very tight. Loosen it before raising the vehicle.
• ⚠️ Do not let the brake caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.
• ⚠️ Your Altima has ABS wheel speed sensors near the hub. Avoid pulling, twisting, or striking the sensor wire.
• ⚠️ Replace the axle nut if supplied with the new hub or if the old nut is damaged.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 32mm axle nut socket
• 1/2-inch breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench rated to 250 ft-lbs
• 21mm lug nut socket
• 19mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 10mm socket
• Ratchet wrench 3/8-inch drive
• Ratchet wrench 1/2-inch drive
• 6-inch extension 3/8-inch drive
• Flathead screwdriver
• Pry bar 18-inch
• Dead blow hammer
• Hub puller kit (specialty)
• Wire brush
• Bungee cord
• Floor jack rated 3-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 3-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front wheel bearing and hub assembly - Qty: 1 per side
• Front axle nut - Qty: 1 per side
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1 can
• Anti-seize compound - Qty: 1 small tube

---

📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your Altima on level ground and place the transmission in Park.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• 🔩 Loosen the front axle nut and lug nuts while the tire is still on the ground.
• 📌 A hub puller is a tool that bolts to the hub and helps push the axle out without damaging it.
• 📌 A torque wrench is a tool that tightens bolts to an exact tightness so parts are not loose or over-tightened.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the axle nut and lug nuts

• Use the 32mm axle nut socket and 1/2-inch breaker bar to loosen the front axle nut about 1/2 turn.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch breaker bar to loosen the front wheel lug nuts about 1/2 turn.
• Do not remove them yet.

Step 2: Raise and support the front of the vehicle

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift the front of your Altima at the front center jacking point.
• Place jack stands rated 3-ton minimum under the proper front side pinch weld or subframe support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands using the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum.
• Use your hands to lightly shake the vehicle to confirm it is stable.

Step 3: Remove the wheel

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and ratchet wrench 1/2-inch drive to remove the lug nuts.
• Remove the wheel and place it flat under the rocker panel as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Remove the axle nut

• Use the 32mm axle nut socket and 1/2-inch breaker bar to remove the axle nut fully.
• If the axle splines are stuck in the hub, install the hub puller kit (specialty) and push the axle inward slightly.
• Do not hammer directly on the axle threads with a steel hammer.

Step 5: Remove the brake caliper

• Use the 14mm socket and ratchet wrench 3/8-inch drive to remove the two brake caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the brake pads.
• Use the bungee cord to hang the caliper from the strut spring.
• Never hang it by the hose.

Step 6: Remove the brake caliper bracket

• Use the 19mm socket, 6-inch extension 3/8-inch drive, and ratchet wrench 1/2-inch drive to remove the two caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the caliper bracket and set it aside.

Step 7: Remove the brake rotor

• Pull the brake rotor straight off by hand.
• If it is stuck, use the dead blow hammer to tap around the rotor hat until it loosens.
• Use brake cleaner if rust dust is heavy.

Step 8: Move the ABS sensor wire out of the way

• Use the 10mm socket and ratchet wrench 3/8-inch drive to remove any ABS wire bracket bolts near the knuckle.
• Gently move the wire aside so it cannot be stretched or pinched.
• Do not pry on the sensor body unless removal is absolutely needed.

Step 9: Remove the hub mounting bolts

• From the back side of the steering knuckle, use the 17mm socket, 6-inch extension 3/8-inch drive, and ratchet wrench 1/2-inch drive to remove the four hub mounting bolts.
• Turn the steering wheel left or right as needed for better access.
• Keep fingers clear of pinch points.

Step 10: Remove the old hub assembly

• Use the hub puller kit (specialty) if the hub is rusted into the steering knuckle.
• Use the pry bar 18-inch carefully between the hub flange and knuckle if needed.
• Use the dead blow hammer to tap the hub loose from the outside.
• Slide the hub assembly off the axle and out of the knuckle.

Step 11: Clean the mounting surface

• Use the wire brush to clean rust from the steering knuckle where the hub sits.
• Use brake cleaner to clean the surface after brushing.
• Apply a very thin film of anti-seize compound to the knuckle bore with a gloved finger.
• Do not get anti-seize on the wheel studs, brakes, or ABS sensor.

Step 12: Install the new hub assembly

• Slide the new front wheel bearing and hub assembly over the axle splines and into the steering knuckle.
• Start all four hub bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 17mm socket, 6-inch extension 3/8-inch drive, and ratchet wrench 1/2-inch drive to snug the bolts evenly.
• Use the 1/2-inch drive torque wrench rated to 250 ft-lbs and 17mm socket to tighten the hub bolts to Torque to 80 Nm (59 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Reinstall the ABS wire bracket

• Use the 10mm socket and ratchet wrench 3/8-inch drive to reinstall the ABS wire bracket bolts.
• Tighten the small bracket bolts snugly by hand; do not over-tighten them.
• Make sure the wire is clipped away from the axle, rotor, and wheel.

Step 14: Reinstall the brake rotor

• Slide the brake rotor onto the new hub by hand.
• Use the brake cleaner to remove fingerprints or grease from the rotor braking surface.

Step 15: Reinstall the caliper bracket

• Position the caliper bracket over the rotor.
• Use the 19mm socket and ratchet wrench 1/2-inch drive to install the two caliper bracket bolts.
• Use the 1/2-inch drive torque wrench rated to 250 ft-lbs and 19mm socket to tighten the caliper bracket bolts to Torque to 145 Nm (107 ft-lbs).

Step 16: Reinstall the brake caliper

• Remove the bungee cord and place the caliper over the brake pads.
• Use the 14mm socket and ratchet wrench 3/8-inch drive to install the slide pin bolts.
• Use the 1/2-inch drive torque wrench rated to 250 ft-lbs and 14mm socket to tighten the slide pin bolts to Torque to 32 Nm (24 ft-lbs).

Step 17: Install the new axle nut

• Thread the new front axle nut on by hand first.
• Use the 32mm axle nut socket and ratchet wrench 1/2-inch drive to snug the axle nut.
• Do not final-torque the axle nut while the vehicle is in the air unless another person firmly presses the brake pedal.

Step 18: Reinstall the wheel

• Install the wheel by hand and start all lug nuts by hand.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and ratchet wrench 1/2-inch drive to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 19: Lower the vehicle and final torque

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift slightly and remove the jack stands rated 3-ton minimum.
• Lower your Altima until the tire just touches the ground.
• Use the 1/2-inch drive torque wrench rated to 250 ft-lbs and 32mm axle nut socket to tighten the axle nut to Torque to 250 Nm (184 ft-lbs).
• Use the 1/2-inch drive torque wrench rated to 250 ft-lbs and 21mm lug nut socket to tighten the lug nuts to Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs) in a star pattern.

Step 20: Pump the brake pedal

• With your Altima still parked, press the brake pedal 3-5 times until it feels firm.
• This seats the caliper back into position before driving.

---

✅ After Repair

• ✅ Start your Altima and check that the ABS warning light turns off after startup.
• ✅ Drive slowly at first and listen for grinding, clicking, or humming.
• ✅ Make a few gentle stops to confirm the brake pedal feels normal.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after 25-50 miles using the 21mm lug nut socket and torque wrench.
• ✅ If an ABS or traction control light stays on, inspect the ABS sensor wire routing and connector before driving far.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $120-$260 per front side (parts only)

You Save: $330-$490 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.

---

🎯 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.