🔧 Wheel Bearing / Hub Assembly - Replacement

On your Sierra, the front wheel bearing is a sealed hub assembly, so the normal repair is to replace the entire hub unit. This job requires brake and axle access, then removal of the steering knuckle hub bolts to swap the assembly.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Assumption: this guide is for the front wheel bearing/hub assembly.
• Support the truck securely with jack stands rated for the vehicle. Never work under a vehicle held up only by a jack.
• If equipped with ABS, do not damage the wheel speed sensor or harness.
• Use care near the front axle nut and CV axle. The axle can shift when the hub comes out.
• Disconnect the battery only if you need extra safety around ABS wiring repair; it is not normally required for the hub swap.

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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 the vehicle)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves
• Breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench
• 18mm socket
• 21mm socket
• 30mm axle nut socket
• Torx T30 screwdriver
• Ratchet
• Short extension
• Hammer
• Rubber mallet
• Penetrating oil
• Large flat-blade screwdriver
• Hub puller or slide hammer (specialty)
• Brake caliper hanger tool or bungee cord
• Wire brush

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front wheel bearing / hub assembly - Qty: 1 per side
• Front axle nut - Qty: 1 per side
• Front brake caliper bracket bolts - Qty: 2 if damaged or one-time-use
• Front hub bolts - Qty: 3 per side
• ABS wheel speed sensor seal or clip - Qty: 1 if damaged

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground. Put the transmission in Park and set the parking brake.
• Chock the rear wheels before lifting the front.
• Loosen the lug nuts before raising the truck.
• If the hub is rusted in place, soak the hub-to-knuckle area with penetrating oil ahead of time.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the truck

• Use a floor jack to raise the front of the truck.
• Support it with jack stands under the frame.
• Remove the wheel with a lug wrench or impact wrench.

Step 2: Remove the brake caliper and rotor

• Use an 18mm socket to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Hang the caliper with a brake caliper hanger tool or bungee cord. Do not let it hang by the hose.
• Remove the rotor. If it is stuck, tap it gently with a rubber mallet.

Step 3: Remove the axle nut

• Use a 30mm axle nut socket and a breaker bar to loosen and remove the axle nut.
• Leave the axle in place for now.

Step 4: Remove the ABS sensor and hub fasteners

• Use a Torx T30 screwdriver to remove the ABS wheel speed sensor screw if it blocks access.
• Carefully move the sensor aside if needed. Do not pull on the wire.
• Use an 18mm socket or 21mm socket to remove the 3 hub bolts from the back of the knuckle.

Step 5: Separate the hub assembly

• Use a hammer and large flat-blade screwdriver to break the hub loose from the knuckle.
• If it is seized, use a hub puller or slide hammer (specialty).
• Push the CV axle back slightly and remove the hub assembly.

Step 6: Clean the mounting surface

• Use a wire brush to clean rust and debris from the knuckle mounting face.
• Clean metal gives the new hub a better seat.

Step 7: Install the new hub assembly

• Slide the new hub onto the axle and into the knuckle.
• Install the 3 hub bolts by hand first, then tighten them with a ratchet.
• Torque to 133 Nm (98 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Reinstall the axle nut

• Install a new axle nut by hand.
• Use the 30mm axle nut socket and torque wrench to tighten it.
• Torque to 300 Nm (221 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Reinstall brakes and wheel

• Reinstall the rotor and brake caliper bracket.
• Use the 18mm socket and torque the caliper bracket bolts to 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs).
• Reinstall the wheel and snug the lug nuts with a lug wrench.
• Lower the truck and torque the lug nuts to the factory spec for your wheel type.

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✅ After Repair

• Spin the wheel by hand to make sure it turns smoothly.
• Start the truck and check for ABS or traction control warning lights.
• Test drive at low speed and listen for noise changes.
• Recheck lug nut torque after the road test.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $120-$280 per side (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.