Front wheel bearings

[MM...Good]

I am in the process of replacing my front wheel bearings on my new to me 2007 M35X. Big shout out to ILYA and others who posted the "how to" in the FAQ section.
Here is my problem - I replaced the right side without any issue although it took some effort to break the hub loose from the bore. The left side, however, isn't playing nice. I can't get the axle pushed in to disengage the hub. On the right side, I just used my hand to push in the axle before prying off the hub. I can't get the left axle to budge - even with a block of wood and a hammer. I know it doesn't need to move much when loose but mine is stuck. All of the other bolts (hub, caliper, axle nut, etc.) came out easily.

Short of getting a bigger convincer (think sledgehammer) has anyone else encountered this and what did they do to loosen it? I'm a little reluctant to keep banging away at it.

Thanks!

[cruzad3r]

you're trying to replace the hub? try to bang it out from inside out. spray a lot of brake cleaner to loosen up from all the dirty and gunks from years of driving. do not bang the axle too much to prevent it from damage.

[Ilya]

You're welcome on the how to. I agree with Cruz...bang from the inside out.

[MM...Good]

No - I get that you have to bang from the back to sometimes to get the hub to pop out of the knuckle after removing the 4 hub bolts. I actually was able to use a putty knife and hammer on the front side of the right hub to move it a bit and then use a chisel for the rest. Bent the dust shield a little but put in back in shape when I reinstalled it. My issue is that the axle (I have the X) is stuck inside the hub on the left side whereas the right side, it just pushed in with my hand. I think I need to get it loose BEFORE I attempt to remove the hub.

[cruzad3r]

I have the X too and I've done this procedure dozen times now. snap pics and show me what you're trying to do.

[MM...Good]

Thanks Cruzad3r - Not sure how to attach a pic, but if you can visualize the old hub still mounted in place with the axle protruding from the center, shouldn't I be able to simply push the axle "in" towards the boot before attempting to remove the hub? I could on the right side just with my thumb- about an inch or so. There's a really good how-to video on you tube if you search for "Infiniti M35 - Front wheel bearing replacement". Its by "Alan's Car Tutorials" and is 13:46 in length. At about the 10:00 minute mark, he shows exactly what I am referring to - pushing the axle in with his thumb. I was just concerned with attempting to pry the hub from the knuckle with the axle so tight in it. My son needed the car to drive to work so I put everything (rotor, caliper and wheel) back on until I attempted it again next weekend. Thanks for your input.

[cruzad3r]

here's how i tackled this project and i meant it when i said i've done at least a dozen times due to the squeaky noisy rubber mount.
1- wheels off
2- 4 bolts at the back of the hub - either 15 or 17 socket - you might want to turn the wheel left and right for better access
2a- there is a steering stopper - it's a metal bracket - either a 14 or a 15 socket will fit and you can take this out again for better access to the 4 bolts above
3- axle nut - best to use a torque impact driver - i believe the size is 30 or 32mm and you need to lock the wheel from turning before you can loosen it. i take a tire iron rod or a large metal pipe and jam the wheel hub from turning while i zip the axle nut out
4- spray around the edges with brake cleaner or any degreaser that you have. spray like there is no tomorrow to get rid of all the gunks and dirts
5- use a flat head chisel and bang the hub out from the back. it's not going to hurt anything and you're replacing the dam thing anyway.
6- before hitting the axle/drive shaft with a rubber mullet, you should put the axle nut back flat with the spline to get better leverage.

the longest part of this process is to pull that old rusty hub out. before putting back the new one, i would put a little bit of synthetic grease around the edges in case you need to replace/remove it for any reason. make sure you clean the area well, make sure you align the speed sensor access hole, make sure you remember the orientation of the metal splash guard and if you bend it, make sure it's straight before you put it back on. Do not over pulling or extending the axle drive shaft because you can rip the stupid rubber boot and then you will hate yourself for creating more work. YES i've done that and I'm not happy nor proud.

In term of posting picture, you need to host it on google photo, copy the url, use the full editor & preview functionality, click on the IMG and put the url in between the IMG syntax.

[MM...Good]

Just to close the loop on this thread, I got the left wheel bearing replaced this past weekend. Took a lot of "convincing" to break the old rusty hub loose but once off easy job to complete. No more whine from the front end so all is good. Thanks!

[Ilya]

Solid!

[aidan2474]

I just did this repair a few weeks ago and I used a heavy hammer and a pry bar used for removing wood trim to break the hub loose, its large sturdy and sharp on the ends. Getting the hub loose was a b**** and took about a good 15 mins of pounding on it and that was after I tried to remove the ABS sensor and the nut was so rusted, the head just snapped off. So getting the new hub in there without damaging the ABS sensor was bucket of fun too.

I also just replaced the other side of my $100 low beam bulb. That was no picinic either, again all the plastic push pins and the front bracket nuts are all rusted and broken by the time you get them out.