🔧 Wheel Bearings - Replacement

On your Equinox, the wheel bearing is part of the hub assembly, so the repair is usually a bolt-in replacement rather than a pressed-in bearing job. This means you remove the wheel, brake parts, and hub bolts, then install the new hub assembly and torque everything correctly.

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

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Support the vehicle securely on jack stands; never work under a car supported only by a jack.
• Chock the opposite wheels so the vehicle cannot roll.
• If you have an electronic parking brake, make sure it is fully released before removing rear brake parts.
• Brake dust can be harmful; do not blow it off with compressed air.
• Use caution around the axle nut and brake components; both can be very tight.
• No battery disconnect is normally required for this job.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands
• Wheel chocks
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• 18mm socket
• 21mm socket
• 24mm socket
• 35mm axle nut socket
• Ratchet
• Socket extension set
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Hammer
• Rubber mallet
• Penetrating oil
• Wire brush
• Gloves
• Safety glasses
• Bungee cord or mechanic's wire

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front wheel hub and bearing assembly - Qty: 2 if replacing both front sides
• Rear wheel hub and bearing assembly - Qty: 2 if replacing both rear sides
• Front axle nut - Qty: 1 per side
• Rear axle nut - Qty: 1 per side
• ABS wheel speed sensor seal or hub seal - Qty: 1 per side if included separately

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Loosen the wheel lug nuts before lifting the vehicle.
• If replacing a front hub, loosen the axle nut before raising the vehicle; it is very tight.
• If replacing a rear hub, remove the rear brake caliper and rotor first for access.
• Spray rusted bolts early.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the wheel and axle nut

• Use a 21mm socket to loosen the lug nuts slightly before lifting the vehicle.
• If doing the front, use a 35mm axle nut socket and a breaker bar to loosen the axle nut while the vehicle is still on the ground.
• Do not remove the axle nut yet.

Step 2: Raise and secure the vehicle

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the vehicle at the proper jacking point.
• Set the vehicle on jack stands and verify it is stable.
• Remove the wheel with a 21mm socket.

Step 3: Remove the brake components

• Use an 18mm socket or 21mm socket to remove the brake caliper bolts, depending on position.
• Lift the caliper off and hang it with bungee cord or mechanic's wire.
• Remove the caliper bracket if needed using the same socket size.
• Remove the rotor by hand; if stuck, tap it gently with a rubber mallet.

Step 4: Disconnect the hub wiring

• Follow the ABS sensor wire from the hub and unplug it from the wheel speed sensor connector.
• Release any clips with a flat-blade screwdriver.
• Do not pull on the wire itself.

Step 5: Remove the hub assembly

• Use an 18mm socket to remove the hub mounting bolts from the back of the knuckle.
• Spray penetrating oil on the bolts first if they are rusted.
• Tap the hub loose from the knuckle with a hammer if it is seized.
• If doing the front, remove the axle nut fully with the 35mm axle nut socket, then push the axle inward slightly.
• A few sharp hits usually break rust free.

Step 6: Clean the mounting surface

• Use a wire brush to clean rust and dirt from the knuckle mounting surface.
• Make sure the surface is smooth and flat so the new hub seats correctly.

Step 7: Install the new hub assembly

• Position the new hub on the knuckle and start the mounting bolts by hand.
• Use an 18mm socket to tighten the hub bolts evenly.
• Torque hub bolts to 115 Nm (85 ft-lbs).
• If doing the front, slide the axle fully into the new hub before final tightening.

Step 8: Reinstall the axle nut and brake parts

• Install a new axle nut with the 35mm axle nut socket.
• Torque front axle nut to 300 Nm (221 ft-lbs).
• Torque rear axle nut to 170 Nm (125 ft-lbs).
• Reinstall the rotor, caliper bracket, and caliper using the correct socket size.
• Torque caliper bracket bolts to 175 Nm (129 ft-lbs).
• Torque caliper guide bolts to 31 Nm (23 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Reinstall the wheel

• Install the wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle and use a torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a crisscross pattern.
• Torque lug nuts to 140 Nm (103 ft-lbs).

---

✅ After Repair

• Spin the wheel by hand and listen for rubbing or grinding.
• Start the vehicle and test for ABS warning lights.
• Road test at low speed first, then confirm the noise is gone.
• If the ABS light stays on, scan for wheel speed sensor faults.
• Recheck lug nut torque after 50-100 miles.

---

💰 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 per side.

---

🎯 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.