🔧 Front Wheel Bearing Assembly - Replacement

Assumption: This procedure covers the front hub/bearing assembly on your Sierra. The rear wheel bearing setup is different and uses a separate axle-side service procedure.

The front wheel bearing on your Sierra is a sealed hub assembly, so the usual fix is replacing the whole unit. This restores wheel smoothness, removes growling or humming noises, and prevents play in the wheel.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-4 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Support the truck securely with jack stands before removing the wheel.
• Do not work under a vehicle supported only by a jack.
• If equipped with electronic parking brake functions in related service steps, use the proper service mode before moving suspension parts.
• Be careful around brake components and wheel speed sensor wiring.
• Battery disconnect is not 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 for truck weight)
• Wheel chocks
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• 22mm socket
• 18mm socket
• 15mm socket
• 13mm socket
• 10mm socket
• Ratchet
• Extensions
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Rubber mallet
• Trim clip tool
• Penetrating oil
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves
• Wire hanger or bungee cord

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front wheel hub and bearing assembly - Qty: 1 per side
• Hub mounting bolts - Qty: 3 per side
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1
• Anti-seize compound - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on a level surface.
• Set the parking brake.
• Chock the rear wheels.
• If the truck is 4WD, leave the transfer case in Park.
• Loosen the lug nuts slightly before lifting the truck.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the wheel

• Use a 22mm socket and breaker bar to loosen the lug nuts on the affected wheel.
• Do not remove them yet.

Step 2: Lift and secure the truck

• Use a floor jack to raise the front of the truck at the proper lift point.
• Place the truck on jack stands.
• Remove the wheel with the 22mm socket.

Step 3: Remove the brake caliper and bracket

• Use an 18mm socket to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Lift the caliper and bracket off as an assembly.
• Hang it with a wire hanger or bungee cord so the brake hose is not stretched.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the hose.

Step 4: Remove the brake rotor

• Pull the rotor straight off the hub.
• If it is stuck, tap it gently with a rubber mallet.

Step 5: Disconnect the wheel speed sensor

• Use a 10mm socket or trim clip tool as needed to free the sensor wiring retainers.
• Unplug the wheel speed sensor connector carefully.
• Do not pull on the wire.

Step 6: Remove the hub/bearing assembly

• Use a 15mm socket to remove the hub mounting bolts from the back of the steering knuckle.
• Spray penetrating oil on the hub flange if it is rusted in place.
• Tap the hub assembly out evenly from the back with a rubber mallet.
• Remove the old hub and bearing assembly.

Step 7: Clean the mounting surface

• Use brake cleaner and a rag to clean the knuckle mounting surface.
• Make sure the surface is smooth and free of rust.
• A clean mounting surface prevents hub misalignment.

Step 8: Install the new hub/bearing assembly

• Position the new hub assembly in the knuckle.
• Install the new hub bolts by hand first.
• Use a 15mm socket to tighten them evenly.
• Torque to 177 Nm (130 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Reinstall the brake rotor and caliper bracket

• Slide the rotor back onto the hub.
• Install the caliper bracket.
• Use an 18mm socket to tighten the bracket bolts.
• Torque to 200 Nm (148 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Reinstall the wheel

• Put the wheel back on.
• Install the lug nuts by hand first.
• Lower the truck with the floor jack.
• Use a 22mm socket and torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts.
• Torque to 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• Spin the wheel by hand and listen for rubbing or grinding.
• Test drive slowly and check for humming or vibration.
• Recheck lug nut torque after driving a short distance.
• If the ABS light stays on, scan for wheel speed sensor faults.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $120-$280 (parts only)

You Save: $330-$620 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-4 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.