🔧 Tucson - Wheel Bearing Replacement

Replacing a wheel bearing removes humming, growling, looseness, or vibration from a worn bearing. On your Tucson, the front bearing is a press-in style inside the steering knuckle, while the rear AWD bearing is normally replaced as a complete hub and bearing assembly.

Assumption: Since the wheel location was not specified, this covers both front and rear bearing replacement.

Difficulty Level: Advanced | Estimated Time: Front: 3-5 hours | Rear: 1.5-3 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Never work under your Tucson with only a jack holding it up. Always use jack stands.
• 🧤 Wear safety glasses and gloves. Rust flakes, brake dust, and metal chips can fall during this job.
• 🔥 Let the brakes cool before touching them.
• 🛞 Loosen the axle nut before lifting the vehicle. It is very tight.
• 🔩 Use a new axle nut if supplied with the replacement bearing or hub.
• ⚙️ The front wheel bearing must be pressed in straight. Pressing on the wrong part of the bearing can destroy it.
• 🔌 Do not pull, twist, or hammer near the ABS wheel speed sensor wiring.
• 📐 A front wheel alignment is recommended after removing the steering knuckle.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves
• 21mm socket
• 32mm axle nut socket
• 10mm socket
• 12mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 19mm socket
• Ratchet
• 6-inch socket extension
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench (up to 250 ft-lbs)
• 3/8-inch drive torque wrench (up to 80 ft-lbs)
• Impact wrench (optional)
• Phillips screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver
• Pry bar
• Dead blow hammer
• Ball peen hammer
• Punch set
• Needle nose pliers
• Snap ring pliers (specialty)
• Hub puller (specialty)
• Hydraulic press (12-ton minimum) (specialty)
• Wheel bearing press adapter kit (specialty)
• Bearing race/seal driver set (specialty)
• Wire brush
• Bungee cord
• Paint marker
• Brake cleaner
• Penetrating oil
• Anti-seize compound

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front wheel bearing - Qty: 1 per front wheel
• Front axle nut - Qty: 1 per front wheel
• Front wheel bearing retaining snap ring - Qty: 1 per front wheel
• Rear AWD hub and bearing assembly - Qty: 1 per rear wheel
• Rear axle nut - Qty: 1 per rear wheel
• Brake rotor retaining screw - Qty: 1 per wheel if damaged
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1 can
• Anti-seize compound - Qty: 1 small tube

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🚗 Park your Tucson on level ground.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks at the wheels staying on the ground.
• 🛞 Slightly loosen the lug nuts before lifting the vehicle.
• 🔩 Slightly loosen the axle nut before lifting the vehicle.
• 🧰 A hydraulic press is a shop tool that pushes parts apart or together with strong, controlled force.
• 🧰 A snap ring is a round spring clip that locks the bearing in place.
• 🧰 A hub puller pushes the axle out of the hub without damaging axle threads.
• 📌 Compare the new bearing or hub to the old one before installation.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Wheel and Axle Nut

• Use a 21mm socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen the lug nuts 1/2 turn.
• Use a 32mm axle nut socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen the axle nut.
• If the axle nut is staked into a groove, use a punch set and ball peen hammer to lift the staked edge first.
• Loosen first, lift second.

Step 2: Raise and Support the Vehicle

• Use a floor jack to lift your Tucson at the approved lift point.
• Place jack stands under the approved support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands.
• Use a 21mm socket to remove the lug nuts.
• Remove the wheel by hand.

Step 3: Remove the Brake Caliper and Rotor

• Use a 14mm socket to remove the brake caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the rotor by hand.
• Hang the caliper with a bungee cord. Do not let it hang by the brake hose.
• Use a 17mm socket to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the rotor retaining screw if equipped.
• Remove the brake rotor by hand.
• If stuck, tap the rotor hat with a dead blow hammer.
• During reassembly, tighten the caliper bracket bolts to Torque to 88-108 Nm (65-80 ft-lbs).
• During reassembly, tighten the caliper slide pin bolts to Torque to 22-32 Nm (16-24 ft-lbs).

Step 4A: Front Bearing Path - Remove the Steering Knuckle

• Use a 10mm socket or 12mm socket to remove the ABS wheel speed sensor bolt if the sensor blocks removal.
• Pull the ABS sensor straight out by hand. Do not pry hard on the plastic sensor.
• Use a paint marker to mark the strut-to-knuckle position.
• Use a 19mm socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to remove the strut-to-knuckle bolts.
• Use a 17mm socket to loosen the lower ball joint or control arm fastener as needed.
• Use a hub puller to push the axle spline out of the hub.
• Remove the steering knuckle from your Tucson.
• During reassembly, tighten the strut-to-knuckle bolts to Torque to 156-176 Nm (115-130 ft-lbs).
• During reassembly, tighten the lower ball joint/control arm fastener to Torque to 98-118 Nm (72-87 ft-lbs).

Step 5A: Front Bearing Path - Press Out the Old Bearing

• Place the steering knuckle in a hydraulic press with supports from the wheel bearing press adapter kit.
• Use the hydraulic press to press the wheel hub out of the bearing.
• Use snap ring pliers to remove the bearing retaining snap ring.
• Use the hydraulic press and correct adapter to press the old bearing out of the knuckle.
• Use a wire brush and brake cleaner to clean the bearing bore.
• Keep the knuckle fully supported.

Step 6A: Front Bearing Path - Press In the New Bearing

• Use the wheel bearing press adapter kit to support the steering knuckle evenly.
• Use the hydraulic press to press the new bearing into the knuckle by pressing only on the outer race.
• Install the new retaining snap ring using snap ring pliers.
• Use the hydraulic press to press the hub into the new bearing while supporting the inner race.
• Spin the hub by hand. It should feel smooth and quiet.
• Press straight, not tilted.

Step 7A: Front Bearing Path - Reinstall the Steering Knuckle

• Slide the axle spline into the hub by hand.
• Install the steering knuckle back into position.
• Use a 19mm socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the strut-to-knuckle bolts to Torque to 156-176 Nm (115-130 ft-lbs).
• Use a 17mm socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the lower ball joint/control arm fastener to Torque to 98-118 Nm (72-87 ft-lbs).
• Use a 10mm socket or 12mm socket and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the ABS sensor bolt to Torque to 8-10 Nm (71-89 in-lbs).
• Install the new axle nut by hand.

Step 4B: Rear AWD Bearing Path - Remove the Rear Hub Assembly

• Use a 32mm axle nut socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to remove the rear axle nut.
• Use a 10mm socket or 12mm socket to remove the ABS wheel speed sensor bolt if the sensor blocks access.
• Use a hub puller to push the rear axle spline free from the hub.
• Use a 17mm socket or 19mm socket with a 6-inch socket extension to remove the rear hub mounting bolts from behind the knuckle.
• Remove the rear hub and bearing assembly by hand.
• If stuck, apply penetrating oil and tap around the hub flange with a dead blow hammer.

Step 5B: Rear AWD Bearing Path - Install the New Rear Hub Assembly

• Use a wire brush and brake cleaner to clean the hub mounting face.
• Apply a thin coat of anti-seize compound to the center bore using a gloved finger.
• Slide the new rear hub and bearing assembly onto the axle spline by hand.
• Start the rear hub bolts by hand first.
• Use a 17mm socket or 19mm socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the rear hub bolts to Torque to 78-98 Nm (58-72 ft-lbs).
• Install the new rear axle nut by hand.
• Use a 32mm axle nut socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the rear axle nut to Torque to 255-275 Nm (188-203 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Reinstall the Brake Rotor and Caliper

• Use a wire brush and brake cleaner to clean the rotor mounting surface.
• Install the brake rotor by hand.
• Use a Phillips screwdriver to reinstall the rotor retaining screw if equipped.
• Use a 17mm socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the caliper bracket bolts to Torque to 88-108 Nm (65-80 ft-lbs).
• Place the caliper back over the rotor by hand.
• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the caliper slide pin bolts to Torque to 22-32 Nm (16-24 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Reinstall the Wheel

• Install the wheel by hand.
• Use a 21mm socket to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Use the floor jack to raise your Tucson slightly.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower your Tucson to the ground.
• Use a 21mm socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to Torque to 88-107 Nm (65-79 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Final Axle Nut Tightening

• Use a 32mm axle nut socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to confirm the axle nut is tightened to Torque to 255-275 Nm (188-203 ft-lbs).
• If the nut is a staked style, use a punch set and ball peen hammer to stake the nut into the axle groove.
• Reinstall the center cap by hand if removed.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Pump the brake pedal several times before driving. The pedal should feel firm.
• 👂 Test drive slowly at first and listen for grinding, humming, clicking, or knocking.
• ⚠️ If the ABS light turns on, recheck the wheel speed sensor connection and wiring.
• 🛞 Recheck lug nut torque after 25-50 miles using a 21mm socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench.
• 📐 Get a wheel alignment if the front steering knuckle was removed.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$950 per front wheel | $350-$750 per rear wheel

DIY Cost: $90-$250 per front wheel | $140-$350 per rear wheel

You Save: $250-$600 per wheel by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-3.5 hours per wheel.

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