Wheel bearing inspection

Special tool

	Dial indicator stand or equivalent 100-D004 (D78P-4201-F)
	Dial indicator or equivalent 100-D005 (D78P-4201-G)

Examination

1. Installing new front wheel bearings may be required if wheel bearing noise only occurs when cornering. To perform front wheel bearing diagnostics:

2. Road test the vehicle on a level road. Make a few sharp turns to the right and left.

• Installing a new bearing on the left front wheel may be required if the vehicle makes abnormal noises when turning right.
• Installing a new bearing on the right front wheel may be required if the vehicle makes abnormal noises when turning left.
• If noise is heard in the wheel bearings when making either right or left turns, disassemble and inspect the wheel hub and front wheel bearing assembly on the side where the noise level is higher.

3.

NOTE: Be careful not to confuse slack in the lower arm ball joint with slack in the bearing.

Raise and support the front of the vehicle and check the front wheel bearings for slack. To do this, shake the wheel from above and below.

4. Spin the wheel quickly by hand and check that the wheel turns smoothly without bearing noise.


5. Remove the front brake caliper mounting plate. See Section 206-03 for more information.

6. Install tripod 100-D004 (D78P-4201-F) or equivalent with attached dial indicator 100-D005 (D87P-4201-G) or equivalent against the wheel hub, then pull the wheel hub in and out. Measure the axial clearance of the wheel hub assembly with the front wheel bearing. Axial clearance must be absent. If there is axial play, install new front wheel bearings.

7. Wheel hub nut torque limits bearing/hub relative movement and maintains wheel hub axial position. Due to the importance of tightening the wheel hub nut during repair, observe the following precautions.

8. Because the wheel bearing cannot be adjusted, the wheel hub nut should not be unscrewed after reaching the specified tightening torque during installation.

9. The wheel hub nut can be reused four times. If the front wheel hub nut has been loosened or removed, check the markings on the nut and install a new nut if necessary.

10. Do not use power tools to tighten or loosen the front wheel hub nut, otherwise damage to the bearing may result.

11. To remove the front wheel hub nut, apply sufficient torque to it to remove the nut.