2008 GX470 Front Wheel Bearing replacement

[billmc]

I need to replace the PS front wheel bearing on my 2008. I picked up the parts from Toyota yesterday:
bearing assembly with 4 bolts
inner o-ring
outer seal

I've read the FSM on it, but, being a fundamentally lazy person and short on time, am wondering if it can be swapped in without removing the whole hub assembly from the vehicle. I've searched the forum, but haven't found a write up on it (which suggests maybe that it can). Does anyone know?

Thanks,
bill

 

[orion]

Nope - You've gotta press the hub out of the old, and into the new...if you just have the bearing.

I bought a 'complete' unit from 'Blue Pit Bearings' to avoid the need for the press. Take a look at their website ( Blue Pit Bearings | 2003-2014 TOYOTA & LEXUS 4X4 and 4X2 COMPLETE FRONT HUB WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLIES ), there's a pic on the first page that shows the complete unit. Compare to the parts you have, and proceed from there.

Edit: Here's the pic:

^^^ That's what you need to have to bolt it back on, repaired.

- Brian

 

[billmc]

Nope - You've gotta press the hub out of the old, and into the new...if you just have the bearing.

I bought a 'complete' unit from 'Blue Pit Bearings' to avoid the need for the press. Take a look at their website ( Blue Pit Bearings | 2003-2014 TOYOTA & LEXUS 4X4 and 4X2 COMPLETE FRONT HUB WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLIES ), there's a pic on the first page that shows the complete unit. Compare to the parts you have, and proceed from there.
- Brian

Thanks! yeah, I just have the bearing unit with the 4 bolts. The FSM says to disconnect the steering components and pull the whole spindle off the vehicle. Your pic suggests though that the hub and bearing could be withdrawn together from the spindle. Is that true? I don't mind pulling the hub and bearing together, and pressing it into the new bearing.

Bill

 

[ton504]

Thanks! yeah, I just have the bearing unit with the 4 bolts. The FSM says to disconnect the steering components and pull the whole spindle off the vehicle. Your pic suggests though that the hub and bearing could be withdrawn together from the spindle. Is that true? I don't mind pulling the hub and bearing together, and pressing it into the new bearing.

Bill

From what I can remember, yes. Just remove brake caliper and rotor. Make sure the axle nut is fully clear from the axle shaft before you kill the threads on the axle...

And don't forget the bolts when you're pressing in the new bearings LOL.

 

[billmc]

From what I can remember, yes. Just remove brake caliper and rotor. Make sure the axle nut is fully clear from the axle shaft before you kill the threads on the axle...

And don't forget the bolts when you're pressing in the new bearings LOL.

That's great, thanks! Yes, I keep repeating "don't forget the bolts" in my head

 

[GXO]

Blue pit is awesome. I did both front recently and it was worth every penny

 

[billmc]

Thank everyone for all the input. Just a quick wrap up for anyone searching this subject:
Blue Pit is probably the best way to go. Because of travel plan time pressure I purchased the equivalent parts (for 2008 4Runner) from my local Toyota dealer, including the axle flange, who had them in stock. The extensive disassembly indicated in the FSM is NOT necessary. Simply unbolt caliper and bracket and move to the side (support with something so it doesn't hang by the brake hose). Remove rotor, remove axle nut, and unbolt the 4 bearing bolts and withdraw from spindle. (I had to use a drift to loosen it up.) Remove old o-ring. Slide new unit back on spline with new o-ring, torque the 4 bolts, retorque axle nut (173 flbs) and replace rotor and caliper. Done.

It was a little cheaper buying parts from Toyota ($325, no shipping), but then I had to run out and buy a 12-ton press ($125) to push the axle flange into the bearing. In retrospect I should have bought the press years ago. Would have made lots of nasty jobs I've done a piece of cake.

 

[buck208]

Blue pit is awesome. I did both front recently and it was worth every penny

Man, I should have you on speed dial. All of my questions it seems you have done to your ride. Along with front brake pads/ rotors I was going to change out the wheel bearings and saw the Blue Pit Bearings. You still recommend them? Also, when you replaced your front brakes did you replace the pads/ rotors and shims. Ive read somewhere that the GX requires replacing the shims but not positive. Thanks.

 

[GXO]

I did. EBC pads come with stick on shims so they are easy. Helps when I have wheeled and maintained mine for going on 5 years


Sent from my iPhone

 

[buck208]

Was wondering if anyone here has used Complete front wheel bearing assemblies - 4th gen, NJ, $169 - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum. for front hub assemblies. Just read his thread on T4R.org. The product seem legit and the price is good. I'm about to make a big order for the weekend: calipers, rotors, pads, front hub assemblies. Thanks.

 

[GXO]

I did blue pit


Sent from my iPhone

 

[buck208]

Yea, I checked out blue pit but this maybe an option.

 

[GXO]

I looked. He is using the right parts so may be worth a shot


Sent from my iPhone

 

[madtoy]

I bought them from him a few years back for my Tacoma. Quality parts. Even installed longer studs for me so I could add a 1/4" spacer.

 

[billmc]

Does anyone happen to know the Koyo part number for front wheel bearing itself?

 

[JLee]

Does anyone happen to know the Koyo part number for front wheel bearing itself?

I haven't found it yet, but these may be helpful?
Wheel Bearing Assembly Options on Ebay - KOYO - Club Lexus Forums
Blue Pit Bearings | 2003-2009 Lexus GX470 4x4

Edit: well, I found rear...
Amazon.com: Koyo 2DACF044N4A Wheel Bearing: Automotive

 

[billmc]

I haven't found it yet, but these may be helpful?
Wheel Bearing Assembly Options on Ebay - KOYO - Club Lexus Forums
Blue Pit Bearings | 2003-2009 Lexus GX470 4x4

Edit: well, I found rear...
Amazon.com: Koyo 2DACF044N4A Wheel Bearing: Automotive

Thanks, I'm hoping to find just the bearing itself, without the bracket it's pressed into.

 

[JLee]

Thanks, I'm hoping to find just the bearing itself, without the bracket it's pressed into.

I haven't had any luck finding it.

 

[Onefastrx7turbo]

As much of a PITA it is to press the old hub out, I'd just buy the bluepit option. That's what I did on both my fronts. To swap the whole assembly as received from Bluepit:

Raise front > remove wheel > remove disk and caliper > remove axle nut > remove 4 bolts from hub assembly >remove hub assembly > clean the cavity if you want. Installation is the reverse of removal and the 2nd one I did took me about 25 minutes start to finish.

 

[wingysataday]

How do you know if your bearing are bad?