Need tips on replacing front hub assembly.

[nate9862]

Hey everyone, I wanted to get some experienced tips on replacing my front drivers side hub assembly in my 2007 2.5L Nissan Altima. I bought the hub assembly from amazon for about 100 bucks. The one in my car makes a pretty horrible sound between 40-60mph. I'm fairly handy around the house, my dad is a master carpenter and has taught me quite a bit when I worked with him while I was younger, so I figured I'd give this a shot.

I started this morning after going to PepBoys to get what I was told was loaner 1/2" axle nut sockets... More on this in a minute. First, and stupidly, I didn't realize I should FIRST remove the axle nut while my car was not jacked... So, I removed the tire, brake caliper and mount, and rotor... I located the four nuts holding on the hub assembly to the knuckle; removed those. Then, I realized the axle nut still needed to be removed before I could remove the hub assembly. OHHHHh, that would be a problem, because not only does the axle nut turn with the bearings.... but the tools pepboys gave me were about 12mm too big, and apparently for 4x4 locking hubs... yeah...

So, what I need help with is twofold:

First, there seems to be a lot of conflicting information between those claiming this is a DIY job, and those that claim you need specialized equipment (i.e. a press) to complete the job...I'm not replacing just the bearings, I'm replacing the entire HUB assembly. Is this truly a DIY job, or am I just getting me and my car into trouble?

Second, when and how do I remove that large axle nut? I am assuming I loosen it while the tire is on the ground? Can someone provide me some info on that?

I went out an bought a 36mm axle nut socket.

Any tips or tricks you guys can help me with before I tackle this thing again in the morning?

[AlexM.]

Hey guy,

Here's one thread I found. It's for a g35 but the concepts and overall process must be similar?

http://x.infinitihelp.com/forum/showthr ... 00&p=40721

Good luck and hopefully someone else will chime in that's more experienced.

[nate9862]

I did use this as a guide but the G35 hub assembly does not have an axle nut apparatus that protrudes through the hub assembly. I was able to get to the point where the hub assembly was ready to come out but I had no luck. In fact I went to the auto store and rented a gear puller and I still could not get the damn thing out. When I began leveraging the hub assembly out I was concerned with the pressure it was putting on the half axle so I quit. I can't find a good response on how much play there should be or how much pressure I can put on the half axle to get the assembly out. I just don't know enough to take a chance at breaking something that I really will have no cue how to fix..