How to Replace Wheel Bearing & Hub Assembly 02-06 GMC Envoy XL
Difficulty: Advanced · About 90 min · Gmc Envoy
Replace the front wheel bearing and hub assembly, including the rotor and caliper bracket, on a 2002-2006 GMC Envoy XL.
Tools you will need
- 35mm socket
- Pipe for leverage
- Torque wrench
- Hammer
- Rust penetrant
- 18mm wrench
- 17mm socket
- Jack stands
- 18mm socket
- 19mm socket
- Brake parts cleaner
- Flat blade screwdriver
- Ratchet
- Floor jack
Parts and supplies
- Wheel bearing and hub assembly
Steps
- Remove the wheel
Pry off the hub cap, loosen the 35mm hub nut and the lug nuts in a star pattern with the truck on the ground, raise and support it, then remove the lug nuts and wheel.
- Remove the rotor
Remove the caliper's two 17mm bolts while holding the inside nut with an 18mm wrench, pry the pads in with a flat blade screwdriver to push the pistons back, pull the caliper aside, pry the pads out, remove the caliper bracket's 18mm bolts and pull it off, then pull the rotor free (striking it with a hammer or threading bolts into its press holes if it's stuck) before removing the center hub nut and striking the axle with a hammer.
- Remove the old hub
Unclip the wiring harness from the upper control arm and disconnect it, spray both sides of the hub with penetrant, remove its three 18mm bolts, hammer the back of the hub to loosen it, pull the harness through as you remove the hub, then hammer the backing plate off.
- Install the new hub
Feed the harness through the backing plate and set the plate into place, push the hub onto the axle, start one 18mm bolt to hold the plate and hub to the knuckle, then insert and tighten the remaining bolts, torquing them to about 90 ft-lb, before clipping the harness back to the knuckle and reconnecting it.
- Install the rotor
Slide it on and thread one lug nut to hold it, grease the caliper bracket bolts, refit the bracket and tighten its 18mm bolts to about 110 ft-lb, install the new pads with brake grease, refit the caliper, thread its 17mm bolts and torque them to about 40 ft-lb, then replace the hub nut and remove the placeholder lug nut.
- Reattach the wheel and test the brakes
Slide the wheel on, start the lug nuts, lower the truck, torque the lug nuts to about 100 ft-lb in a star pattern and the hub nut to about 103 ft-lb, refit the hub cap, then pump the brakes until firm and road test at 5 and 10 mph.
Check your vehicle’s repair manual for exact specifications and fit.