Front Wheel Hub Replacement for 2WD

[C5Longhorn]

I had new tires put on yesterday and the shop said they couldn't align my '99 Blazer because I had a bad front hub. To demonstrate, the mechanic rattled the wheel back and forth slightly. How can one tell the hub is bad versus a rim?

I assume this isn't uncommon with 114K on the odometer?

How hard is this to replace yourself? Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Rick

[blazerman]

jack truck up,put one hand on top of tire and other hand on bottom,then shake,if it has play then you need a hub,it its the way the guy did then that usually means tie rods.the hub is easy,take off caliper,rotor,there will be 3 bolts that hold the hub on,i think its 3 if im wrong somebody correct me,unplug abs sen then reinstall.with that mileage you probaly need one.

[C5Longhorn]

Thank you for the response. I jacked the Blazer up again last night and with my hands in the 12 and 6 o'clock position, its definitely the hub. I may end up needing to replace two. Not what I wanted to hear, but with high mileage there is definitely going to be some maintenance.

Thanks again,

Rick

[S15vortecpwr]

r u sure it is a hub and not balljoint

[draginlow]

i did both of mine at 45,000 but i have large rims
they are not to bad just 3 bolts and a abs wire after you pull the brakes
a say 1 hr a side and that thinking you have some rust
and get a good set "and yes they are not cheap"
even if the cheap ones have a life time replacemt...thay may leave you on the side of the road

just something to think about

[C5Longhorn]

How can I check to verify its not a ball joint? Everyone has been saying hub since when I jacked it up and pushed back and forth in a 12 and 6 o'clock position, it moves.

I really appreciate all the comments.

Thanks,

Rick

[draginlow]

the bast way to find a bad ball joint is jake up the blazer and put a jack stand under the lower control arms and let the car down but the wheels are off the ground
then take a prybar and pry the spindle back and thorth or have a buddy move it for you, you can see it moveing if it's bad and or you will see the hub bad

and i had to do my lower ball joint at 60,000 on the driver side

[blazerman]

most likely its the hub,i work at a delco dealer but i got hubs from a company called bca.exact same hub as a delco just cheaper

[C5Longhorn]

Again, all the comments are much appreciated. Will probably tackle this project tomorrow.

Thanks,

Rick

[C5Longhorn]

Any tips for getting a rusted rotor off? I'm into the hug replacement job and can't get the rotor off. I don't want to pound on the dust shield so its limiting my ability to pound on the rotor with a rubber mallet.

[blazerman]

wd 40.,oak the hell outta it.then hit with it a hammer on the part around the wheel studs.

[C5Longhorn]

Are you using a rubber mallet or metal hammer? Don't want to damage the rotor but this is getting pretty frustrating.

[C5Longhorn]

Plan B is to take the whole hub off and replace the rotor with a new rotor on the new hub.

Is the dust shield located behind the hub? If its between the hub and rotor, then that would be a problem.

[draginlow]

i use a air hammer around were the studs are after hitting them with pb blaster to brake them lose
but a metal hammer is ok on the back side to brake them lose just keep turning the rotor and work your way around

[blazerman]

yeah, i use a metel hammer.i think its a 5-6 lbs.and the dust shield is mounted between the hub and spindle.but i dont think you can get the brake rotor and hub off in 1 piece.if you have to hit the rotor from the back side put a small piece of wood between the hammer and rotor and the keep turn it after each hit.

[C5Longhorn]

Well, I ended up pulling off the hub and just buying a new rotor. It was the OEM rotor and I'm not sure it had ever been off (will have to measure thickness to get an idea).

I appreciate all the responses.

[Joelin]

Can anybody tell me how to change front brake rotor of my 2000 S10 Extreme 6V 4.3L and what its the best rotor?
I try to safe some M$$$$