🔧 Wheel Bearing - Replacement

On your Corolla, the front and rear wheel bearings are serviced as hub/bearing assemblies, not as loose bearings. That means the job is usually a remove-and-replace assembly swap, but front and rear procedures differ, so both paths are listed below.

Difficulty Level: Advanced | Estimated Time: 2-4 hours per side

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Support the vehicle securely with jack stands before removing any wheel or hub parts.
• Do not work under a vehicle supported only by a jack.
• If equipped, deactivate the parking brake only as needed for rear service.
• Use caution near brake components; do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose.
• If a wheel speed sensor is removed, avoid damaging the sensor tip or wiring.
• Battery disconnect is not normally 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 socket
• 19mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 12mm socket
• Torque wrench
• Breaker bar
• Ratchet
• Trim clip removal tool
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Punch set
• Hammer
• Hub puller (specialty)
• Bearing press kit (specialty)
• Rubber mallet
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front wheel bearing and hub assembly - Qty: 2 if replacing both fronts
• Rear wheel bearing and hub assembly - Qty: 2 if replacing both rears
• New axle nut - Qty: 1 per side serviced
• New hub bolts - Qty: 1 set per side serviced
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1
• Anti-seize compound - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake unless you are servicing the rear hub and need it released.
• Loosen the lug nuts before lifting the vehicle.
• If the wheel speed sensor wiring is clipped to the knuckle or trailing arm, unclip it carefully first.
• Rust can make hub removal much harder.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the wheel

• Use a 21mm socket and breaker bar to loosen the lug nuts, then lift the car with a floor jack and secure it on jack stands.
• Remove the lug nuts and wheel.

Step 2: Remove brake components

• Use a 14mm socket to remove the brake caliper bolts.
• Hang the caliper with a hook or support it so the hose is not stretched.
• Use a 12mm socket to remove the caliper bracket if needed for access.
• Remove the rotor. If stuck, tap it gently with a rubber mallet.

Step 3: Disconnect wheel speed sensor wiring

• Use a trim clip removal tool or flat-blade screwdriver to free the sensor wire from the knuckle or trailing arm.
• Unplug the sensor connector if it blocks hub removal.

Step 4A: Front hub removal

• Use a 30mm or 32mm axle socket if your axle nut style requires it, then remove the axle nut.
• Use a 14mm socket or 17mm socket to remove the hub-to-knuckle bolts from the back side.
• Use a hub puller (specialty) or tap the hub out with a hammer if it is seized.
• Torque on reassembly: axle nut to 216 Nm (159 ft-lbs).

Step 4B: Rear hub removal

• Use a 12mm socket or 14mm socket to remove the rear hub bolts from the back side.
• Pull the hub assembly straight off the knuckle.
• If stuck, use penetrating oil and a rubber mallet; avoid striking the wheel speed sensor area.
• Torque on reassembly: hub bolts to 59 Nm (44 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Install the new hub bearing assembly

• Clean the mounting surface with brake cleaner.
• Install the new hub assembly by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a torque wrench to tighten the hub bolts evenly.
• On the front, reinstall the axle nut and torque it to 216 Nm (159 ft-lbs).

Step 6: Reinstall brakes and wheel

• Reinstall the rotor, caliper bracket, and caliper using a 12mm socket and 14mm socket.
• Torque caliper bracket bolts: 79 Nm (58 ft-lbs).
• Torque caliper slide pin bolts: 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).
• Reinstall the wheel and torque the lug nuts in a star pattern to 103 Nm (76 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Repeat on the other side if needed

• For best results, replace wheel bearings in pairs on the same axle.
• Matching both sides helps keep noise away.

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✅ After Repair

• Pump the brake pedal before moving the car.
• Start the vehicle and check for ABS or traction warning lights.
• Road test at low speed first, then listen for noise changes through turns.
• If an ABS light stays on, scan for wheel speed sensor faults.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $400-$900 per side (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $90-$220 per side (parts only)

You Save: $310-$680 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.