How to Change the Front Wheel Hub in a 2001 Chevy 2500HD

The 2001 model year was the first year since the Silverados debut in 1999 that Chevy offered the Silverado 2500 with an HD package. In the base level 2500HD, which includes a 6.0-liter V-8 engine and two-wheel drive, the truck can tow up to 15,900 pounds. When compared to the base level Silverado 2500s 10,800-pound towing capacity you can see what benefits the HD package has. The front wheel hub on the 2001 Silverado 2500HD is integrated with the wheel bearing and changing it on the base-level model is a straightforward process.

Instructions

Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel with the failed hub, using a breaker bar and socket. Raise the front of the 2500HD with a floor jack and slide jack stands under the trucks frame rails. Lower the truck onto the frame rails. Remove the lug nuts and pull the wheel from the truck.

Remove the caliper bracket bolts, using a breaker bar and socket. Lift the caliper, bracket and brake pads from the steering knuckle as one assembly and hang them from the front spring, using a bungee strap.

Pull the circular rotor-retaining clips from the wheel studs, if equipped, using needle-nose pliers. Discard these clips, as they are not required. Pull the rotor from the front hub. If the rotor does not pull off easily, lightly strike the rear of the rotor with a rubber mallet to free it.

Remove the bolt securing the antilock brake wheel-speed sensor wiring and brake hose bracket, using a ratchet and socket. Pull the bracket away from the steering knuckle. Unplug the ABS wheel-speed sensor wiring harness.

Unfasten the bolts securing the wheel hub to the steering knuckle, using a breaker bar and socket. Pull the wheel hub and the splash guard from the steering knuckle. Pull the O-ring from the wheel hubs bore in the steering knuckle, using an O-ring pick or similar hooked tool.

Scrub the steering knuckles bore and mating surface with a wire brush and wipe it clean with a clean, lint-free cloth. Apply a coat of wheel bearing grease to the steering knuckles bore and press a new O-ring, which comes with the new hub, into its groove in the bore.

Set the splash guard on the steering knuckle and slide the new hub, which comes with a new ABS wheel-speed sensor installed in it, into the steering knuckles bore. Align the hubs bolt holes with those in the steering knuckle and hand-tighten the hubs retaining bolts.

Tighten the hub-retaining bolts to 133 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and socket. Plug the ABS wheel-speed sensors wiring harness to the Silverados wiring harness. Position the ABS wheel-speed wiring and brake hose bracket in place on the steering knuckle and hand-tighten its retaining bolt. Torque the retaining bolt to 106 inch-pounds, using an inch-pound torque wrench and socket.

Guide the rotor onto the new hub. Remove the caliper bracket, caliper and brake pads from the bungee strap and lower them into place over the rotor and onto the steering knuckle.

Clean the caliper bracket bolts with a wire brush and apply a thin coat of a thread-locking compound to their threads. Hand-tighten the caliper bracket bolts, then torque them to 221 foot-pounds.

Reinstall the front wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts. Raise the 2500HD off the jack stands and remove the stands. Lower the truck to the ground and tighten the lug nuts, in a crisscross pattern, to 140 foot-pounds.

Press the brake pedal about two-thirds of its total travel and release it slowly. Wait about 15 seconds and repeat this step. Continue repeating this step, with the 15-second pause, until the brake pedal feels firm.