How To Replace Rear Wheel Bearing & Hub 00-05 Buick LeSabre
Difficulty: Advanced · About 100 min · Buick Lesabre
Replace the rear wheel bearing and hub, including the brake rotor and pads, on a 2000-2005 Buick LeSabre.
Tools you will need
- 12mm socket
- 13mm socket
- Pipe for leverage
- 15mm wrench
- Socket extensions
- Torque wrench
- Hammer
- 15mm socket
- Jack stands
- 19mm socket
- Flat blade screwdriver
- Ratchet
- Wire brush
- Floor jack
- Breaker bar
Parts and supplies
- Rear wheel bearing and hub assembly
Steps
- Remove the wheel
Pry off the center cap, loosen the lug nuts with the car on the ground, raise and support the car, then remove the lug nuts and wheel.
- Remove the brake pads
Remove the caliper's 12mm bolt and the bracket's 13mm bolt, pry the pads out with a flat blade screwdriver to push the caliper pistons in, pull the caliper aside, then remove the brake pads.
- Remove the brake rotor
Remove the caliper bracket's two 15mm bolts and pull it off, pull the rotor free, then strike its center with a hammer to loosen it if it won't come off.
- Remove the wheel hub
Disconnect the ABS sensor wiring harness, remove the four 13mm bolts from the hub, strike the hub with a hammer to loosen it, pull it off along with the brake backing plate, then clean the hub mounting area with a wire brush.
- Install the new wheel hub
Hold the backing plate with its open end facing the front of the car, set the hub into place with the ABS connector facing forward, start all four bolts and tighten the three 13mm bolts to about 60 ft-lb, then connect the ABS sensor wiring harness.
- Install the new brake rotor
Slide the rotor on and thread one lug nut to hold it in place, refit the caliper bracket and start its two 15mm bolts by hand, then tighten them to about 60 ft-lb.
- Install the new brake pads
Fit the new pads into the caliper bracket, put the caliper on and thread its 12mm bolt by hand before tightening it to about 12-15 ft-lb, insert the 13mm bracket bolt, then remove the placeholder lug nut.
- Reattach the wheel and test the brakes
Slide the wheel on, lower the car, torque the lug nuts to about 100 ft-lb in a star pattern, refit the center cap, then pump the brakes until firm and road test at low speed before driving normally.
Check your vehicle’s repair manual for exact specifications and fit.