GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Front Wheel Bearings Diagnosis

Complete this procedure in order to measure the looseness of the front wheel bearings. In order to measure the runout of the wheel bearings, refer to Tire and Wheel Vibration in Vibration Diagnosis and Correction.

Tools Required

    • J 8001 Dial Indicator Set
    • J 26900-13 Magnetic Indicator Base
  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  2. Use paint in order to mark the position of the wheel in relation to the hub.
  3. Remove the front tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  4. Install the wheel nuts in order to retain the rotor to the hub and to the bearing.
  5. Use a C-clamp in order to compress the caliper piston.

  6. Object Number: 175065  Size: SH
  7. Install the J 8001 and the J 26900-13 to the strut.
  8. Set the J 8001 to zero.
  9. Push and pull the rotor. Observe the dial on the J 8001 .
  10. If the measurement exceeds 0.4 mm (0.016 in), replace the front wheel bearings. Refer to Front Wheel Bearing and Hub Replacement in Front Suspension.

Important: If the vehicle has ABS, complete this procedure in order to measure the looseness of the rear wheel bearings. If the vehicle does NOT have ABS, refer to Tire and Wheel Vibration in Vibration Diagnosis and Correction. In order to measure the runout of the rear wheel bearings, refer to Tire and Wheel Vibration in Vibration Diagnosis and Correction.

Tools Required

    • J 8001 Dial Indicator Set
    • J 26900-13 Magnetic Indicator Base
  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  2. Use paint in order to mark the position of the wheel in relation to the hub.
  3. Remove the rear tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  4. Important: If the vehicle has ABS, the rear wheel bearings are in the hub assembly. If the vehicle does NOT have ABS, the rear wheel bearings are in the brake drum assembly.

  5. Remove the brake drum. Refer to Brake Drum Replacement in Drum Brakes.

  6. Object Number: 175063  Size: SH
  7. Install the J 8001 and the J 26900-13 to the strut.
  8. Set the J 8001 to zero.
  9. Push and pull the hub flange. Observe the dial on the J 8001 .
  10. If the measurement exceeds 0.3 mm (0.012 in), replace the rear wheel bearings. Refer to Rear Wheel Bearing and Hub Replacement in Rear Suspension.