🔧 Wheel Bearings - Replacement

Assumption: This covers both front hub bearings and rear wheel bearings, since your Tacoma uses different designs front and rear.

The front bearings are replaced as hub-bearing assemblies. The rear bearings are pressed into the axle housing and are more involved, so the rear job usually requires press work and more disassembly.

Difficulty Level: Advanced | Estimated Time: Front: 1.5-3 hours per side; Rear: 4-6 hours per side

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Lift the truck on level ground and support it with jack stands. Never work under a vehicle held up only by a jack.
• Use wheel chocks on the opposite wheels.
• Front wheel bearing work may require removal of ABS wiring; do not pull on the sensor wire.
• Rear bearing replacement can involve brake hardware, axle shafts, and press work. A hydraulic press is required for the rear bearing itself.
• If the rear axle shaft is removed, gear oil may leak. Be ready to catch and refill fluid.
• Wear safety glasses and gloves.

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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
• Lug wrench or 21mm socket
• Metric socket set
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• 10mm socket
• 12mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 19mm socket
• 35mm socket
• Torque angle gauge
• Flat screwdriver
• Rubber mallet
• Needle-nose pliers
• Slide hammer (specialty)
• Bearing press kit (specialty)
• Hydraulic press (specialty)
• Hub puller (specialty)
• Bearing race driver set (specialty)
• Brake cleaner
• Drain pan
• Shop towels

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front wheel hub and bearing assembly - Qty: 2
• Rear wheel bearing - Qty: 2
• Rear axle seal - Qty: 2
• Rear axle retainer ring - Qty: 2
• Front hub mounting bolts - Qty: 6
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1
• Gear oil - Qty: 1 refill
• Anti-seize compound - Qty: 1
• Grease - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Loosen the lug nuts before lifting the truck.
• If doing rear bearings, plan for an axle-seal replacement and gear oil refill.
• If you do not have a press, the rear bearing job is best handled with machine-shop support.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and secure the truck

• Use the floor jack to lift the truck.
• Support it with jack stands under the frame.
• Remove the wheel with the 21mm socket or lug wrench.

Step 2: Remove brake parts

• Use a 14mm socket to remove the brake caliper bolts.
• Hang the caliper with wire or a hook so the hose is not stretched.
• Remove the brake rotor by hand. If stuck, tap it with a rubber mallet.

Step 3: Front wheel bearing replacement

• Use a 10mm socket to remove the ABS sensor bolt if needed.
• Use a 35mm socket and breaker bar to remove the axle nut.
• Use a 17mm socket to remove the hub mounting bolts from the back side.
• Remove the hub assembly. If it is stuck, use a slide hammer.
• Install the new hub and bearing assembly. Start all bolts by hand.
• Torque to 96 Nm (71 ft-lbs) for the hub mounting bolts.
• Reinstall the axle nut and tighten it to Torque to 294 Nm (217 ft-lbs).

Step 4: Rear wheel bearing replacement

• Use a 12mm socket and 14mm socket to remove the rear brake parts and backing plate hardware.
• Remove the axle shaft from the rear end assembly.
• Use a slide hammer to pull the axle shaft out if it is stuck.
• Remove the old bearing and seal with a bearing press kit and hydraulic press. A press is required here; a hammer will not do the job correctly.
• Install the new bearing, seal, and retainer ring using the bearing race driver set and hydraulic press.
• Reinstall the axle shaft carefully so you do not damage the new seal.
• Reassemble the rear brake hardware and torque fasteners to the factory spec for each component.

Step 5: Reassemble brakes and wheels

• Reinstall the rotor and caliper using the 14mm socket.
• Reinstall the wheel and tighten the lug nuts snug by hand.
• Lower the truck and torque lug nuts to Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• Pump the brake pedal before moving the truck.
• Check for wheel play by rocking the tire at 12 and 6 o’clock.
• Listen for noise on a slow road test.
• For rear bearings, check for gear oil leaks at the axle seal after the test drive.
• If the ABS light comes on, inspect the sensor wiring and connector.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$1,200 per side

DIY Cost: $120-$350 per side

You Save: $330-$850 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-6 hours depending on front or rear.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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