4runner front wheel bearing replacement

kevincook · 08-19-2009, 05:36 PM

I'm doing a brake job on my wife's 04 4runner and noticed that the right front wheel bearing is shot. I picked up a new bearing today. What do I need to do to replace the bearing. Unfortunately I don't have a manual for this vehicle and I don't want to tear things apart that I don't need to.

Thanks for the help.
Kevin

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kevincook · 08-19-2009, 06:37 PM

I have the rotor and caliper off and I have removed the hub nut. I can see where the bearing module bolts on but I need to get the hub off first. Will the hub pull off or do I need to disconnect the axle shaft someplace first?

Thanks,
Kevin

peapicker · 08-19-2009, 06:55 PM

I have an 03 taco that got a front wheel bearing last year. Is the bearing a sealed unit, about three inches wide? If you could post a pic of it. I had to take the whole spindle to a machine shop! The bearing has to be pressed out by a snap ring! I have a 12 ton press that wouldnt budge it! There 60 ton hydrolick did the job! for 65.00 bucks!

kevincook · 08-19-2009, 07:03 PM

The bearing is a module that bolts on. I have attached a picture.

If I can get the hub off I think the bearing just unbolts.

Thanks,
Kevin

peapicker · 08-19-2009, 07:07 PM

Thank god it doest take the one Im talking about! Never seen that particular one, I think I have a service manual for that year, give me a few to find it.

peapicker · 08-19-2009, 07:12 PM

2 or 4 wheel drive?

kevincook · 08-19-2009, 07:17 PM

You can see the bearing module directly behind the hub in this picture.

Supposedly the change to the bolt in module was done to improve serviceability.

Kevin

kevincook · 08-19-2009, 07:18 PM

4 wheel drive
Sport
V6

peapicker · 08-19-2009, 07:26 PM

kevincook · 08-19-2009, 07:33 PM

Peapicker,

Thanks for the help. I don't think that picture is the correct year for a 4runner. You can see in the picture that I posted that there is a bearing module right behind the hube and before the dust shield.

Kevin

peapicker · 08-19-2009, 07:37 PM

The only one I had on an 04 4runner was a cheap haynes manual. It might be wrong. I see what u are talking about. try taking the 4 bolts out that are behind the hub, if that doesnt get u anywhere it might have the same inner snapring deal as the one in the haynes manual. I hope not for your sake.

chris75 · 08-24-2009, 01:27 PM

Any updates? Just wondering how everything worked out for you, about to tackle this myself.

kevincook · 08-24-2009, 01:38 PM

I ended up taking the steering knuckle off and pressing the bearing out of it. The road salt around here caused the bearing to get stuck in the steering knuckle. After I cleaned everything and reassembled it I was able to knock the bearing/hub out of the steering knuckle by tapping it with a rubber mallet.

The bearing and hub need to be pressed apart and back together but it shouldn't be necessary to take the steering knuckle off.

Good Luck,
Kevin

passitoverhere44 · 08-26-2009, 06:24 AM

just replaced the right front wheel bearing in my '04 4runner sport. I tapped the hub with a mallet to get it off the spindle. We had to cut a 1/2" thick steel plate to fit on and bolt to the hub assembly to press the bearing off. It bent the steel before it finally popped off.

SEAN_at_TLT · 09-09-2009, 12:24 PM

I think I may have a bad wheel bearing(s) on my '05 Taco. I hear a bit of a clunk in the front end over square-edged bumps. kind of a 'tunk' more than a 'thunk' sound if that makes sense. How do I check the bearings to be certain?

08-19-2009, 06:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
peapicker Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Morganton, NC Posts: 179	Hey Kevin I have an 03 taco that got a front wheel bearing last year. Is the bearing a sealed unit, about three inches wide? If you could post a pic of it. I had to take the whole spindle to a machine shop! The bearing has to be pressed out by a snap ring! I have a 12 ton press that wouldnt budge it! There 60 ton hydrolick did the job! for 65.00 bucks!

08-19-2009, 07:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
kevincook Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 7	The bearing is a module that bolts on. I have attached a picture. If I can get the hub off I think the bearing just unbolts. Thanks, Kevin Attached Thumbnails

08-19-2009, 07:17 PM	#7 (permalink)
kevincook Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 7	You can see the bearing module directly behind the hub in this picture. Supposedly the change to the bolt in module was done to improve serviceability. Kevin Attached Thumbnails Last edited by kevincook; 08-19-2009 at 07:19 PM.

08-19-2009, 07:26 PM	#9 (permalink)
peapicker Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Morganton, NC Posts: 179	I have some bad new my friend, I think you have the wrong bearing.

08-19-2009, 07:37 PM	#11 (permalink)
peapicker Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Morganton, NC Posts: 179	well crap! The only one I had on an 04 4runner was a cheap haynes manual. It might be wrong. I see what u are talking about. try taking the 4 bolts out that are behind the hub, if that doesnt get u anywhere it might have the same inner snapring deal as the one in the haynes manual. I hope not for your sake.

08-19-2009, 06:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
kevincook Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 7	I have the rotor and caliper off and I have removed the hub nut. I can see where the bearing module bolts on but I need to get the hub off first. Will the hub pull off or do I need to disconnect the axle shaft someplace first? Thanks, Kevin

08-19-2009, 07:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
peapicker Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Morganton, NC Posts: 179	Thank god it doest take the one Im talking about! Never seen that particular one, I think I have a service manual for that year, give me a few to find it.

08-19-2009, 07:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
peapicker Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Morganton, NC Posts: 179	2 or 4 wheel drive?

08-19-2009, 07:18 PM	#8 (permalink)
kevincook Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 7	4 wheel drive Sport V6

08-19-2009, 07:33 PM	#10 (permalink)
kevincook Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 7	Peapicker, Thanks for the help. I don't think that picture is the correct year for a 4runner. You can see in the picture that I posted that there is a bearing module right behind the hube and before the dust shield. Kevin

08-24-2009, 01:27 PM	#12 (permalink)
chris75 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 1	Any updates? Just wondering how everything worked out for you, about to tackle this myself.

08-24-2009, 01:38 PM	#13 (permalink)
kevincook Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 7	I ended up taking the steering knuckle off and pressing the bearing out of it. The road salt around here caused the bearing to get stuck in the steering knuckle. After I cleaned everything and reassembled it I was able to knock the bearing/hub out of the steering knuckle by tapping it with a rubber mallet. The bearing and hub need to be pressed apart and back together but it shouldn't be necessary to take the steering knuckle off. Good Luck, Kevin

08-26-2009, 06:24 AM	#14 (permalink)
passitoverhere44 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 9	just replaced the right front wheel bearing in my '04 4runner sport. I tapped the hub with a mallet to get it off the spindle. We had to cut a 1/2" thick steel plate to fit on and bolt to the hub assembly to press the bearing off. It bent the steel before it finally popped off.

09-09-2009, 12:24 PM	#15 (permalink)
SEAN_at_TLT Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: USA Posts: 752	I think I may have a bad wheel bearing(s) on my '05 Taco. I hear a bit of a clunk in the front end over square-edged bumps. kind of a 'tunk' more than a 'thunk' sound if that makes sense. How do I check the bearings to be certain? __________________ -Sean Trails Less Traveled

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