🔧 Rear Wheel Bearings - Hub Assembly Replacement

On your Camry, the rear wheel bearing is replaced as a hub and bearing assembly. This job involves removing the wheel, brake components, and the rear hub unit, then installing the new assembly and torquing everything back to spec.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Support the car securely on jack stands before removing any rear suspension or brake parts.
• Engage the parking brake before lifting, then release it only when you need to remove the rear rotor or hub parts.
• If the brake rotor is stuck, do not pry against the backing plate or ABS sensor area.
• Do not let the brake caliper hang by the hose.
• Keep dirt and metal debris away from the ABS wheel speed sensor and tone ring.
• 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
• Wheel chocks
• 21mm lug wrench or socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 10mm socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Needle-nose pliers
• Rubber mallet
• Penetrating oil
• Brake cleaner
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves

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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 hub mounting bolts - Qty: 4 per side
• Rear brake caliper bracket bolts - Qty: 2 if damaged or corroded
• Rear brake pads - Qty: 1 set if wear is near limit
• Rear brake rotor - Qty: 1 per side if worn or damaged
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1 can

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and chock the front wheels.
• Set the parking brake before lifting the rear of the car.
• If you are replacing one side only, the opposite side can stay assembled.
• Soak the hub bolts and caliper bolts with penetrating oil before starting if they are rusty.
• Rusty bolts move easier after a few minutes.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the car

• Use a floor jack to raise the rear of the car at the proper lift point.
• Support it with jack stands under the rear support points.
• Remove the wheel using a 21mm lug wrench or socket.
• Torque wheel lug nuts to 103 Nm (76 ft-lbs) during reassembly.

Step 2: Remove the brake caliper and bracket

• Use a 14mm socket to remove the caliper slide bolts.
• Lift the caliper off and hang it with wire or a hook so the hose is not stressed.
• Use a 17mm socket to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Torque caliper bracket bolts to 102 Nm (75 ft-lbs) on reassembly.
• Do not let the caliper dangle.

Step 3: Remove the brake rotor

• Pull the rotor straight off the hub.
• If it is stuck, use a rubber mallet and tap around the rotor hat.
• If needed, back off the parking brake slightly to free the rotor.
• Set the rotor aside on a clean surface.

Step 4: Disconnect the ABS wheel speed sensor if needed

• Locate the rear ABS sensor harness and connector.
• Use a 10mm socket if a sensor bracket bolt must be removed for access.
• Unclip the harness carefully with needle-nose pliers if needed.
• Do not pull on the wire itself.

Step 5: Remove the hub and bearing assembly

• Use a 14mm socket to remove the hub mounting bolts from the back side of the knuckle.
• If the hub is stuck in the knuckle, spray penetrating oil around the seam.
• Tap the hub assembly out gently with a rubber mallet.
• Remove the hub assembly from the knuckle.
• Work evenly so the hub comes out straight.

Step 6: Clean the mounting surface

• Use a wire brush if available and brake cleaner to clean the knuckle mounting surface.
• Make sure there is no rust or debris where the new hub sits.
• Inspect the ABS sensor area for damage or buildup.

Step 7: Install the new hub and bearing assembly

• Position the new hub assembly into the knuckle by hand.
• Start all hub bolts by hand first.
• Use a 14mm socket to tighten the hub bolts evenly in a crisscross pattern.
• Torque hub bolts to 70 Nm (52 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Reinstall the rotor, bracket, and caliper

• Slide the rotor back onto the hub.
• Reinstall the caliper bracket using a 17mm socket.
• Torque caliper bracket bolts to 102 Nm (75 ft-lbs).
• Reinstall the caliper using a 14mm socket.
• Torque caliper slide bolts to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Reinstall the wheel and lower the car

• Put the wheel back on and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
• Lower the car with the floor jack.
• Use a 21mm lug wrench or socket to torque the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque wheel lug nuts to 103 Nm (76 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• Pump the brake pedal several times before moving the car.
• Check that the wheel spins freely with no scraping.
• Road test at low speed first and listen for noise.
• Recheck lug nut torque after the test drive.
• If the ABS light is on, scan for wheel speed sensor faults.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $350-$700 per side (parts + labor)

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

You Save: $230-$420 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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🎯 Ready to get started?

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