changing wheel bearing on a 03 Wrangler?

[Tacoma]

I might have to change a unit bearing on an 03 Wrangler, and change the rotors/pads too. If memory serves, this is a 1-banana job-- remove caliper, rotor, undo nut, remove bolts holding the unit bearing on?

am I missing anything? Tools will be purchased to do this, as I will be in NC when I do it.

 

[Badger]

You'll need a 13mm and a 36mm for sure. Yes It's all one deal. Make sure you get a good unit bearing I believe AutoZone sells Timken unit bearings.

 

[Tacoma]

ah, super! I was just about to ask if anyone knew the sizes of sockets I'd need! Awesome, that saves some looking.

 

[74highboy]

remember to get the 13 in a 12 point

 

[GEEPAHOLIC]

you might need a good deadblow and some good lube mine i had a hell of a time with good luck !!!

 

[gijohn40]

yeah what they ALL said...

 

[4554x4]

Banana scale, Tacoma must know of this

Ya gotta love this!


The Shade Tree Howler Monkey Banana Scale

The Shade Tree Howler Monkey scale was originated by Larry Soo.
Here's how the bananas rank:

One banana, Easy;
almost the same amount of skill as required to peel a banana.

Two bananas, Moderately difficult;
knowledge of tools and their uses required.

Three bananas, Pushing the limits of a stock howler monkey;
opposable thumbs only get you so far.

Four bananas, Requires the ability to communicate abstract ideas
to other howler monkeys.

Five bananas, The job should only be attempted by a professional orangutan.

 

[DOSS]

Tacoma.. if you need a 36mm or a slide hammer to help get that thing off I have both sitting here... and a bunch of jeep FSM's if you need actual torque specs. but this is an easy job man

 

[Badger]

Tacoma.. if you need a 36mm or a slide hammer to help get that thing off I have both sitting here... and a bunch of jeep FSM's if you need actual torque specs. but this is an easy job man

He is doing this in North Carolina so I don't think that will help. As for the slide hammer that isn't really needed. If it sticks you can get it one of two ways. Put the 13mm bolts back in but leave them about half way out. From there you can either use a hammer to tap on them or a socket and turn the wheel and it will press the bolt and socket against the inner C.

 

[DOSS]

I figured as much I thought he was leaving this afternoon so he could just swing by on his way out to grab tools.. I don't like the hammering on the 13mm bolts way of doing it as I have killed bolts in the past doing that. Slide hammer just makes it easier

 

[Toad]

leave the three bolts in halfway tap them out with a socket and a hammer like badger said or if you plan on doing a fair amount of these things Lisle make a tool that goes in a impact hammer that works awesome.

 

[Badger]

I figured as much I thought he was leaving this afternoon so he could just swing by on his way out to grab tools.. I don't like the hammering on the 13mm bolts way of doing it as I have killed bolts in the past doing that. Slide hammer just makes it easier

It's easier when you leave the 36mm bolt on when using the slide hammer......but if you don't the unit bearing can separate. Once off then you are left with a 36mm nut that is a pain to remove.

How do you kill a bolt. As long as you put a socket over the head it should be fine. I've done plenty this way.

Everybody has their own way.

 

[DOSS]

It's easier when you leave the 36mm bolt on when using the slide hammer......but if you don't the unit bearing can separate. Once off then you are left with a 36mm nut that is a pain to remove.

How do you kill a bolt. As long as you put a socket over the head it should be fine. I've done plenty this way.

Everybody has their own way.

I only use the slide hammer when the unit bearing is shot in the first place .. but I usually take the unit bearing off then just snug it down just a little bit so that the unit bearing can't separate but I can still get the nut off later..

Killed the bolt as all of the threads stripped as the bolt went into the bearing without it moving at all.. the thing was basically rust welded on there.. I have seen the hitting the bolt method work as well.. as long as you get it off it doesn't matter how you do it

when you put the unit bearing back on PLEASE use some antiseize so that it isn't such a pain to get off in the future

 

[waynehartwig]

All good points and the only thing left to add....

I'll take some AL anti sieze and put it on the bore when I reinstall the new unit bearing to aid in it's removal next time.