How To Replace Your Honda Civic's Wheel Bearing
You may find that at some point during the ownership of your Honda Civic that you need to replace the wheel bearings. The bearings take a lot of abuse, but luckily, they are not a difficult repair job. If you do not fix them, you run the risk of your wheel coming off while you are driving.
Symptoms of a Bad Wheel Bearing
When your wheel bearing is bad, expect some or all of the following symptoms:
- Snapping, clicking, or popping when cornering/turning
- Grinding noises while your Civic is in motion
- Knocking or clunking when shifting or changing direction
- Humming, rumbling, or growling that intensifies when turning the steering wheel
- Wheel vibration or wobble
- Shudder, shimmy, or vibration at constant speeds
- Pulling to one side when braking
- Uneven brake rotor or pad wear
- ABS failure
Bearing Replacement Process
Tools You'll Need:
- Torque wrench
- Socket set
- Jack and jack stands
- Wheel chock
- Tire iron
- Press – if you have one
Instructions:
- Park on a flat, dry surface and place the chock behind your rear wheel if replacing front bearings. Chock the front if you are replacing rear bearings. Use the owner’s manual to determine where the lift points are and where you place the jack stands. Jack up the vehicle and place it on the stands.
- Remove the lug nuts and wheel from the wheel with the bad bearings. Use your tire iron. You may need to knock the wheel loose if it is stuck.
- Use your sockets and torque wrench to remove the brake caliper. Slide the caliper off, and then remove the disc.
- Take the wheel hub assembly off by loosening the bolts.
- Use the bearing press to take the old bearings out and put new ones in. If you do not have a press, then contact a local auto shop and pay them to do it for you. Put the new bearing back on the spindle.
- Put the wheel hub assembly back on the spindle and bolt it in place. Make sure that the bolts are tight.
- Put the brake disc back on and slide the caliper on the rotor. Tighten the bolts with your socket set
- Reattach the wheel with the lug nuts. Use a star pattern to tighten the lugs.
- Take the car down off the jack stands.
Test drive your Honda Civic and make sure that you have corrected your issue. You may need additional help from your local repair shop or dealership if you run into trouble or if this does not correct the symptoms listed.