1997 4x4 Cherokee Sport 160K- You'll want to know it's 'Red'
Mechanic (now the former) seems to think the wheel bearing are worn... judge by a test drive, not an inspection. Wants $375 each side! Are these wheel bearings so much more difficult to change than the 82 Chevy wagon? Do these require special tools and processes?

ted

the wheel bearings on the 4wd are a sealed unit with a new hub. They are not that hard to change -about 1 hour per side - but they are more expensive than the separate tapered roller bearings that you are refering to. Autozone lists them for $140 per side.


JD

Highly recommend that you ge the Timkin brand bearings, stay FAR away from the Federal Mogel brand, went throught 3 sets! As far as remove and install, rather easy. The hardest part is removing the axle nut, I beleive its a 32 or a36mm socket, an impact gun would also make things easier. one word of caution, the axle bolts get torqued to 175 ft. lbs. If you don't have a torque wrench that goes beyond that either barrow,or buy one (Lowes), the inner bolts are 12mm at 75 ft lbs.. Good luck.

Got the Timkin bearings. I assume your remove the wheel, the brakes, the three bolts that hold the assembly together, then remove the 36mm bolt? While I have any troble freeing the bearing from the spines of the axle? I also purcahsed an impact gun for removel. It sounded like a good idea. My torque wrench only goes to 150lbs. Should I go that tight and then a touch more, or is 150 enough?

Ted

I would recommend buying a larger torque wrench, moat of the time the torque wrenches are not very accurate on the far upper and lower settings. Also the torque I believe has something to do with keeping things together in the bearing assembly. Oh and NO, the axle splines should slide out with out any problem. Once the bolts are out, with a "soft" hammer tap the bearing assem. This will break and y crud loose from the bearing, and help slide out easier.

Big, big problem. Exactly what kind of bolts are those. The best decripstion is they are external Torxx heads, and bigger than e18. I spent Saturday morning looking, without sucess, for the proper socket. No one had it.

Ted

Its a ( I think) 12 point 12 mm socket, the one I have is in 1/2 drive. Another way to explain it,is in your socket set you have one type that has 6 point socket then you have the other type that has 12 points. that is the type you need in a 12mm socket. I would get the 1/2"drive socket so it will fit directly on the torque wrench. YOur local auto parts store should carry that socket.

When you reinstall the axle nut, remove the center cap from rim, snug the bolt on by hand, put the tire on( 3 lug nuts will do) , let the tire down on the ground, then torque the nut to 175 ft. lbs.