1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

I'm in it now - Front wheel bearing/hub replacement

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by perfectspeed, Aug 18, 2009.

  1. gggGary

    gggGary gggGary

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2007
    79
    27
    0
    Location:
    Baraboo WI
    Vehicle:
    2023 Prius Prime
    Model:
    XSE Premium
    The trick would be to get knuckles from a southern car, something out of the salt belt.. then be sure to use some anti sieze on the bore and outside of the bearing assembly before the new bearings go in. With time you could just take them to a shop with a big press and press the bearings out of your old hubs.
     
    Mylar likes this.
  2. Mylar

    Mylar Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2010
    154
    31
    0
    Location:
    Cincinnati, OH
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    gggGary likes this.
  3. Mylar

    Mylar Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2010
    154
    31
    0
    Location:
    Cincinnati, OH
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I received the knuckle assemblies purchased on eBay. They were as described. However, I couldn't get the hubs / bearings out so I took them to an automotive machine shop. They were able to successfully remove the bearings but nicked up the aluminum knuckles in the process. The machine shop said the knuckles were OK to reuse, but I'd rather not. Looks like I'm out $194 for the eBay purchase and $41.23 for the press work. A waste of $$ but after I complete the job, it will still have been cheaper than going to the stealership. Lesson learned, buy new knuckles for $170 each if you've already purchased new Hubs / Bearings, Lower Ball Joints, Dust Covers, and Outer Tie Rod Ends.
     
  4. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,198
    6,461
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    How about posting photos of the knuckles, I would like to see the damage you are concerned about.
     
  5. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

    Joined:
    May 13, 2012
    2,170
    744
    0
    Location:
    Delaware
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    scratches and dings on the knuckles won't matter. if they bent or gouged them really bad, that would be a problem.
     
  6. Mylar

    Mylar Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2010
    154
    31
    0
    Location:
    Cincinnati, OH
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    The Right Hand Knuckle is fine with no issues, it's the Left one I am worried about. I figured it would be best just to purchase two new knuckles than to have one new and one used on the car.

    2015-03-03 14.03.25.jpg 2015-03-03 14.04.26.jpg 2015-03-03 14.04.38.jpg 2015-03-03 14.04.51.jpg
     
  7. gggGary

    gggGary gggGary

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2007
    79
    27
    0
    Location:
    Baraboo WI
    Vehicle:
    2023 Prius Prime
    Model:
    XSE Premium
    Yeah they butchered that one. I'm not very fussy but the flatness of the mounting surface is rather critical. Looks like it was REALLY mashed up then they used a flap disk on it. Fail. Good decision on your part. Looks like they used a cold chisel more than a press.
     
    Mylar likes this.
  8. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2014
    2,002
    745
    0
    Location:
    Finland
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    If you remove anything except the bearing from the knuckle, just like you did, you should be able to heat it to 100...200c 200…400F and bearing should basically fall off. Aluminum knuckle will expand a lot more than steel bearing.
     
    Mylar likes this.
  9. Yakoma

    Yakoma Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2014
    470
    121
    0
    Location:
    ATL-ish
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Are you saying you could just put that in your oven and "bake" it apart?

    Goodonya, OP, for taking on this adventure. Good luck with it.
     
    Mylar likes this.
  10. gggGary

    gggGary gggGary

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2007
    79
    27
    0
    Location:
    Baraboo WI
    Vehicle:
    2023 Prius Prime
    Model:
    XSE Premium
    Yeah that should work, we remove pressed in cast iron liners from aluminum motorcycle cylinders that way, they literally fall out.
     
  11. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,198
    6,461
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I agree with the OP's choice as well. Good luck with the reassembly.
     
  12. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

    Joined:
    May 13, 2012
    2,170
    744
    0
    Location:
    Delaware
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    it will make your oven stink from cooking the grease.
    reuse the knuckle they didn't butcher. sell the butchered one for scrap. I'd have been pissed if a machine shop ruined my parts.
     
    Mylar likes this.
  13. Yakoma

    Yakoma Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2014
    470
    121
    0
    Location:
    ATL-ish
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    My kitchen usually stinks anyway.

    That reminds me...it's dinnertime.

    {What's that, dear? Nothing...just playing on the internet.}
     
  14. Mylar

    Mylar Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2010
    154
    31
    0
    Location:
    Cincinnati, OH
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Here's what $1,065 in OEM Prius parts looks like. I placed 4 separate orders with Metro Toyota. Ordering all the parts at one time would have slightly reduced the price. Now I'm waiting on a Monday with warm weather in order to complete the job.
    2015-03-05 15.19.27.jpg
     
  15. Mylar

    Mylar Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2010
    154
    31
    0
    Location:
    Cincinnati, OH
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Fully assembled and ready to go. I couldn't get the bearing dust covers on to save my life. So I took the knuckles to a local auto shop and they pressed them in for free. I'm going to attempt the removal and replacement on Monday, weather permitting.
    2015-03-06 15.09.35.jpg
     
  16. Mylar

    Mylar Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2010
    154
    31
    0
    Location:
    Cincinnati, OH
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I replaced both knuckles today. The job went fairly smooth. The Right Hand Speed Sensor bolt broke when I was loosening it, so I had to temporarily secure the sensor with electrical tape until the new bolt arrives tomorrow. The ABS and VSC lights are on. I'm hoping it's because of the loose speed sensor. Will find out tomorrow. I didn't replace the Outer Tie Rod Ends because I couldn't get them loose. Here's a few pics I took.
    2015-03-09 15.16.09.jpg 2015-03-09 13.56.47.jpg 2015-03-09 16.32.26.jpg 2015-03-09 16.54.58.jpg
     
  17. Mylar

    Mylar Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2010
    154
    31
    0
    Location:
    Cincinnati, OH
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
  18. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,198
    6,461
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Looking good, so now that you accomplished that project, when are you going to replace the front struts?
     
    Mylar likes this.
  19. Mylar

    Mylar Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2010
    154
    31
    0
    Location:
    Cincinnati, OH
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Patrick, LOL! I really want to, I just don't have the funds or time to do so. Maybe later this summer if I still have this car. I just bought a 2009 Prius with 30K miles on it. I've turned my 2006 Prius into my business car, but may sell it. Still unsure.
     
  20. Mylar

    Mylar Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2010
    154
    31
    0
    Location:
    Cincinnati, OH
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    The speed sensor bolts arrived today. I installed them, cleared the ABS VSC lights and all is good. My recommendation to anyone attempting a wheel bearing replacement is to proactively order these bolts and have them on hand when you do the job. Part # 90080-11357. Qty 2 of them will set you back $1.78 total at your local Toyota Dealership. The bolts took 4 days to arrive. Below is a pic of the old speed sensor bolts.
    2015-03-12 14.04.37.jpg
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.