Wheel-bearing question; can you switch out entire hub-assembly?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by priuslyfe, Aug 1, 2025 at 9:50 AM.

Page 2 of 2
  1. priuslyfe

    priuslyfe Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2021
    217
    53
    0
    Location:
    43202
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I'll buy some and hopefully when the Amazon 19mm extractor gets here...it'll work. These kinds of problems are why car-repair is not practical or enjoyable, I don't understand why manufacturers don't apply anti-seize to any prone to fuse-together nut/bolt tbh.
     
    #21 priuslyfe, Aug 2, 2025 at 8:38 PM
  2. xw20_driver

    xw20_driver Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2025
    53
    22
    0
    Location:
    PNW
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    PB Blaster and air impact wrench would be my go-to if I couldn't get the breaker bar to take that off. I haven't bought WD40 in years it is not a good lubricant nor penetrant product IMO.

    When I did the struts on an older Corolla that had lived 12 years on the east coast through salty roads, having the impact with a strong 19mm deep impact socket saved me. Use the correct tool for the job from the get go. But at this point if the nut is mangled and rounded off you might have to take a cutter to it and grind it off.
     
    #22 xw20_driver, Aug 4, 2025 at 10:44 AM
    priuslyfe likes this.
  3. priuslyfe

    priuslyfe Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2021
    217
    53
    0
    Location:
    43202
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I was just about to go spray the nut again with PBblaster. I think the extractor arrives on Thursday. I need to buy an impact wrench so I should look into that. I checked for new wheel-bearings today and as I suspected they cost around $180 (there are lower-tier bearings available but I figure with bearings probably not a good idea to buy the less-expensive).

    What BRAND of lubricant is better than WD40, that's the only kind I'm familiar with? Moreover, is there a one-fits-all for both lubricant and penetration (well other than KY)?

    thanks.
     
    #23 priuslyfe, Aug 4, 2025 at 12:33 PM
  4. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    12,363
    2,192
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    I'm using the junk bearing supposedly I got 70,000 on them I changed them at 300K on three. The other has 535K on originals as far as I can tell .
     
    #24 Tombukt2, Aug 4, 2025 at 7:46 PM
  5. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2012
    8,256
    4,208
    0
    Location:
    Wellington, New Zealand
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    CRC 5-56
     
    #25 dolj, Aug 5, 2025 at 7:55 AM
    priuslyfe likes this.
  6. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    12,363
    2,192
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    Kroil is to separate .WD is cleaner they're are many alum to steel is tricky .
     
    #26 Tombukt2, Aug 5, 2025 at 8:54 AM
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    59,139
    40,721
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    That’s a good step. Also use impact-rated sockets, thicker walled. Besides being sturdier, I’ve just been reading, that they have more mass, which helps. A deep socket even more so.

    An impact with good torque, more mass, hammering the nut with rapid jolts, will hopefully do the trick.

    playing a torch on the nut may help some too, expanding it slightly.
     
    #27 Mendel Leisk, Aug 5, 2025 at 9:29 AM
    priuslyfe likes this.
  8. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    26,737
    17,523
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I'm not sure what good a more-massive socket does you (besides being less likely to shatter on you). The socket's inertia will act against the impulses from the impact driver.

    Now, having the impact driver itself, and its internal rotating parts, be extra massive does help.
     
    #28 ChapmanF, Aug 5, 2025 at 9:58 AM
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  9. priuslyfe

    priuslyfe Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2021
    217
    53
    0
    Location:
    43202
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Touring

    I've always managed to get by without an impact wrench (sooner or later) but I know Milwaukee makes good tools. One thing I don't like about them is how they seem to overtighten everything.

    Right now I'm in the "visualizing" phase of removing this 19mm nut. I'm thinking about the PB blaster seeping into every thread of the bolt. Hopefully, when I get the extractor socket my meditations will pay off.
     
    #29 priuslyfe, Aug 5, 2025 at 2:15 PM
  10. priuslyfe

    priuslyfe Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2021
    217
    53
    0
    Location:
    43202
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    thanks.

    Sounds like something out of NASA's manufacturing facility. Will look into it.
     
    #30 priuslyfe, Aug 5, 2025 at 2:17 PM
  11. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    26,737
    17,523
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    My solution for that is not to use them for tightening things.
     
    #31 ChapmanF, Aug 5, 2025 at 2:21 PM
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 2 of 2