03 2500HD wheel bearing failure?

**gonzo99ta** · 11-08-2008, 07:30 PM

For the past couple weeks i've been getting an occasional rattling noise from the front end and the occasional grinding/squealing noise when turning.

So i finally got some time to look at it today and when i lifted the front tire off the ground there is noticable play in the front driver side wheel.

If you shake the tire while holding the bottom and top, you can see the wheel and brake rotor pivot slightly just about where the bearing is at the ned of the axle stubs. So i'm guessing bad bearing...

anyone changed a wheel bearing on a 4x4 2500HD? Is it a PIA? Any specialty tools needed? Last wheel bearing i changed was on my solid axle K5 blazer and that required a special type socket to get one of the retaining nuts out. Are the newer trucks similar to this?

any other suggestions?

**Wesman** · 11-08-2008, 08:00 PM

Definitely sounds like a wheel bearing.

Changing it out is going to be totally different than older vehicles like your K5 blazer. There is no inner or outer bearings or races, nothing to pack with grease, and no spindle. No special tools required either.

These trucks use a complete sealed hub assembly that bolts onto the knuckle and the CV shaft slides through the splines in the center of the hub. Its held on by 4 bolts, to the knuckle. So all you should have to do is remove the axle nut, unbolt the bearing assembly from the knuckle, slide out the CV axle, and then reverse the procedure for the new bearing, taking care to torque the axle nut to the proper spec to set bearing preload.

**gonzo99ta** · 11-08-2008, 08:34 PM

thanks...

Anyone have access to 03 gm shop manual to find out the torque requirement?

Sounds like a fairly easy job, so i guess i'll call the local part places to see if anyone has a bearing assembly in stock.

**twoolley08** · 11-11-2008, 04:01 AM

im pretty sure the wheel bearing is just 3 bolts that hold it onto the knuckle and new lug nut studs and spindles will come with it, its easy as pie. i had to do one to my 01 yukon and i remember thinking damn 3 bolts hold this together then i looked at my 07 duramax and it had 3 bolts as well.... made me a little mad

**SSTODD** · 11-11-2008, 08:03 AM

3 bolts on the fwd 2000 Grand Prix hubs I just did, and the center axle shaft nut was 150ft/lb. for that application.

**gonzo99ta** · 11-13-2008, 04:28 PM

completed the bearing replacement on tues.
remove wheel
1-35mm axle nut
remove brake pads
remove 2 bolts on the bracket that holds the pads in place
then removed 4-15mm bolts that hold the bearing assembly on.

The toughest part was getting the cap off that covers the axlenut. that thing is smooth all the way around with nothing to pry on. broke 2 screwdriver tips trying to pry that thing off