Procedure
- Confirm which bearing: the hum gets louder loaded - a bad LEFT bearing usually growls hardest sweeping RIGHT. Jack it and check for play at 12 and 6.
- With the wheel on the ground, break the 32mm axle nut loose first - you will not win this fight on jack stands.
- Lift, remove wheel, caliper (hang it), rotor, and unbolt the lateral links and trailing arm enough to swing the knuckle free, or remove the knuckle entirely for pressing.
- Push the axle stub out of the hub - it should come with light persuasion. Remove the inner snap ring before pressing anything.
- Press the hub out of the bearing, then the bearing out of the knuckle, always supporting the knuckle flat and pressing on the correct race. The old inner race usually stays on the hub - pull it with a bearing splitter.
- Press the new bearing in by its OUTER race only, fully seated to the shoulder, snap ring back in, then press the hub in supporting the bearing's INNER race. Pressing through the balls kills a new bearing silently.
- Reassemble, torque the axle nut to its big factory spec with the wheel on the ground, and stake the nut. Recheck suspension bolt torque at ride height.
Work at your own risk. Torque values and procedures vary by vehicle — always confirm against the factory service manual for your exact model.