How to Change Wheel Bearings on a Chevy Malibu Classic
- 1). Raise the front of the car with the floor jack, and support it on jack stands. Remove the wheel assembly, using the lug wrench. Remove the two bolts that secure the brake caliper to the mounting bracket using a socket. Lift the caliper off the rotor, and hang it from the spring with a suitable piece of wire.
- 2). Remove the grease cup using the remover tool. Pull the cotter pin out of the spindle, using the wire cutters. Remove the large spindle nut, using the large adjustable wrench. Pull the rotor off just enough to cause the front thrust bearing and washer to fall out. Lay the bearing on a clean cloth.
- 3). Install the large spindle nut on the spindle by threading it on just a few turns. Grab the rotor with both hands, keeping a small amount of downward pressure on the rotor, and pull if off rapidly. The spindle nut will cause the rear bearing and seal to come out of the rotor.
- 4). Lay the rotor on a hard surface, and tap the inner bearing races out of the hub, using the chisel and hammer.
- 5). Install the new bearing races by installing one at a time. Push the front thrust-bearing race in as far as it will go by hand. Place the old race on top of the new race, and use the hammer to tap the old race, forcing the new race into the hub. Do the same for the rear race.
- 6). Pack the bearings with grease. Insert the rear bearing into the hub, and install the grease seal. Tap the grease seal into the hub.
- 7). Install the rotor on the spindle, and insert the front bearing followed by the large washer. Install the large spindle nut, and tighten it by hand as far as possible. Use the large adjustable wrench to tighten the spindle nut and rotate the rotor. Back the spindle nut off until it is loose, then tighten it just enough to seat the bearings. Grab the rotor with both hands, and try to shake it from side to side, feeling for looseness. If any looseness can be felt, tighten the spindle nut another half-turn.
- 8). Install a new cotter pin in the end of the spindle. Install the grease cup, and tap it softly with a hammer to seat it completely. Install the brake caliper, and tighten the two bolts securely with a socket. Install the wheel assembly, tightening the lug nuts with the lug wrench. Remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle to the ground with the jack.
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