How to Replace Rear Wheel Bearing & Hub 98-04 Dodge Intrepid
Difficulty: Advanced · About 100 min · Dodge Intrepid
Replace the rear wheel bearing and hub, including the brake rotor and parking brake adjustment, on a 1998-2004 Dodge Intrepid.
Tools you will need
- Pipe for leverage
- Torque wrench
- Hammer
- Pry bar
- Jack stands
- 19mm socket
- Block of wood
- Flat blade screwdriver
- Paper towels
- Brake spoon
- Chisel
- 10mm socket
- Slip-joint pliers
- Lug wrench
- Ratchet
- Wire brush
- Floor jack
- Breaker bar
- 36mm socket
Parts and supplies
- Rear wheel bearing and hub
Steps
- Remove the wheel
Loosen the lug nuts, raise and support the car, then remove the lug nuts and wheel.
- Remove the brakes
Pry the caliper forward with a pry bar to reset the piston, remove its two 10mm bolts, pull the caliper off, then pull the rotor free.
- Adjust the parking brake if needed
If the rotor won't come off easily, pull the rubber plug from the backing plate with a flat blade screwdriver, then use a brake spoon to back off the adjuster wheel.
- Remove the old hub
Knock the dust cover off with a hammer and chisel, break the cotter pin free with slip-joint pliers, loosen the 36mm nut with a breaker bar and pipe for leverage, remove the nut, then pull the hub off.
- Install the new hub
Clean off rust with paper towels or a wire brush and apply lubricant if needed, slide the new hub on, seat it with a block of wood and a hammer, thread the nut back on and tighten it with the breaker bar, torque it to about 124 ft-lb, fit the spring washer and a new cotter pin and bend it over with pliers, then tap the dust cover back on.
- Reinstall the brake rotor
Slide it on, use the brake spoon to readjust the parking brake until there's even drag all around, then refit the rubber plug.
- Reinstall the caliper and pads
Refit the pads to the caliper, push the caliper slides back, set the caliper into place, slide its 10mm bolts in from behind and thread them by hand, then tighten them and torque to about 20 ft-lb.
- Reinstall the wheel
Slide it on, start the lug nuts by hand, lower the car, then torque the lug nuts to about 90-100 ft-lb.
- Test the brakes
Pump the brake pedal repeatedly until it firms up, confirm the brakes hold the car in gear, then road test at 5 and 10 mph.
Check your vehicle’s repair manual for exact specifications and fit.