How do you change a front wheel bearing hub assembly on a 2001 Pontiac Bonneville?

Answer 1

You'll need a 36mm socket to remove the bearing hub hub (from the end of the cv shaft).

Loosen CV shaft 36mm torque nut prior to lifting vehicle. Loosen (don't remove) wheel lug nuts from wheel. Jack up front end of vehicle until both front wheels are off the concrete. Place jack stands underneath the vehicle. Remove the lugs and wheel from the hub. Remove the brake caliper and rotors (hang caliper with wire from strut/spring assembly to keep the brake line/hose from stretching). Remove the rotor from the hub.

Now, with a separate jack, raise the control arm until the point that the cv shaft is level (not angled into the bearing hub). Remove the ABS sensor electrical plug.

With 1/2" socket, remove the (3) bolts from the back side of the steering knuckle, which holds the bearing hub assembly in place. It will be tricky accessing these (3) bolts with a socket, extension, and ratchet, due to the very tight quarters, but you can do this, as I have. After removing these (3) bolts, finish removing the cv shaft hub nut, and the bearing hub assembly will remove from the cv shaft.

Assembly is the reverse of the above procedure. Be sure to torque the (3) bearing hub bolts to the proper torque, as well as the bearing hub nut to cv shaft.

Total time for a good mechanic: about 1 1/2 hours.

A novice or beginner: about 2 1/2 hours.