How to Replace Rear Bearings 01-05 Honda Civic

Difficulty: Advanced · About 90 min · Honda Civic

Replace rear wheel bearings on a 2001–2005 Honda Civic while rebuilding the parking-brake shoes and inspecting the spindle before installing the bearing.

Steps

1. Raise the vehicle and remove the wheel

   Loosen the rear lug nuts, raise and support the Civic securely, then remove the wheel. Keep the parking-brake hardware arranged in order for reassembly.

2. Disconnect the wheel-speed sensor

   Remove the sensor retaining bolt and carefully work the sensor out of its bore. Do not twist the lead or pry against the sensor body.

3. Remove the drum and parking-brake shoes

   Remove the drum, then release the return springs, hold-down clips, adjuster, and parking-brake cable from the shoes. Photograph the layout before separating the hardware.

4. Remove and inspect the bearing

   Remove the dust cap and axle nut, then tap the hub assembly free from behind. Inspect the spindle for scoring or grooves; replace damaged parts rather than installing a bearing on a compromised surface.

5. Install the replacement bearing

   Slide the new bearing onto the clean spindle and install the axle nut. Tighten it to the vehicle's specification, secure the nut's locking feature, and refit the dust cap.

6. Reassemble the parking brake

   Reinstall the parking-brake shoes, adjuster, springs, and retainers in their original arrangement. Adjust the shoes so the drum fits and turns with slight, even resistance.

7. Reconnect the sensor and wheel

   Reinstall the drum and wheel-speed sensor, routing its wiring clear of moving parts. Refit the wheel, lower the vehicle, torque the lug nuts to specification, and listen for bearing noise.

Check your vehicle’s repair manual for exact specifications and fit.