Front bearing re-pack for Xterra

May 8th, 2003, 11:49 AM

I was wondering if anyone has specific step-by-step instructions with torque specs for this procedure. The past 2 times I had this done at the dealer and am tired of paying $250 each time. The ESM costs $300 and I'm trying to save some cash. I almost always do any mechanical items myself. I have pretty good skills and a full complement of tools as well. I did a search but came up empty. Any info is appreciated, thanks.

Ag Bullet · May 8th, 2003, 04:32 PM

http://www.rkrenn.com/xterra/howto/bearing/bearing.htm

CarGuy · May 8th, 2003, 04:56 PM

How often do you have them repacked? I’m under the impression that they should be good for 50-60k miles under normal conditions (I’ve let mine go longer). If this is your third time, then you must be racking up the miles. As far as procedure – it is fairly self-explanatory. Remove wheel, drum (if drum brake), dust shield, cotter pin (don’t reuse), nut & washer. Pull rotor off, remove front-side bearing. Pry seal from back-side and pull out back-side bearing. Next bang out bearing races. Clean off all grease, now bang in new races. Pack new bearings with grease. Insert the back-side one and install new seal – put rotor back on spindle, insert front-side bearing, then washer. Tighten down nut then back off ½ turn (this seats everything) – then tighten lightly against the washer. Insert new cotter pin and so on. This is the just of the process – it isn’t by any means professional instructions. I’ve done my truck once along with a couple of trailers. It is a messy job

If I were you, I would pick up a Haynes auto manual for your truck and use their steps(w/ photos

) and techniques for banging out the seals, greasing the bearings, and torque settings. - HTH

May 8th, 2003, 10:21 PM

Ag Bullet-Thats exactly what I was looking for, thanks! You happen to know the torque for the rotor bolts off-hand? I'm replacing them too.

CarGuy-Have over 120K. I like to do them every 35-40K. Maintenance schedule calls for every 30K so I figure I'm in the ballpark.

Ag Bullet · May 10th, 2003, 08:13 PM

I do not have the torque settings. Try searching/posting over on www.xterraownersclub.com and someone might have it for you.

ewraven · May 13th, 2003, 12:07 AM

After reading Car Guy's instructions; I know why it's so expensive now.

I had the front wheel bearings in my 93 Dakota repacked at Midas. They only charged me 30 dollars!

I've got 63k miles on my Frontier. I'm going to check around to see if anyone else does it cheaper.