How to Replace a Wheel Hub on a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe

The 1995 model year brought about a shuffling of Chevrolets SUV lineup. Chevy eliminated the S-10 tag from the mid-size Blazer and replaced the full-size Blazer with the all-new Tahoe, which was essentially a slightly redesigned full-size Blazer. The base level 2003 Tahoes front wheel system includes and hub bearing assembly on each front wheel. When either part of this component hub or bearing fails, you must replace the entire assembly. Replacing the 2003 Tahoes hub-and-bearing assembly is a straightforward task that most home mechanics can complete with success.

Instructions

Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel with the failed hub, using a breaker bar and socket. Lift the front of the vehicle with a floor jack and slide jack stands under the Tahoes frame rails. Lower the SUV onto the jack stands, remove the lug nuts and pull the wheel from the vehicle.

Remove the caliper bracket-to-steering knuckle bolts with a breaker bar and socket. Lift the caliper, brake pads and caliper bracket from the steering knuckle as a complete assembly. Hang the assembly from the front suspension spring via a bungee strap.

Pull the rotor-retaining clips from the wheel studs, if equipped, using needle-nose pliers. Discard these clips, as you do not need them for reassembly. Pull the rotor off the hub. If the rotor is stuck, lightly tap the rear of it with a rubber mallet to free it.

Unfasten the bolt securing the antilock brake system senor and brake hose bracket to the steering knuckle, using a ratchet and socket. Pull the bracket away from the steering knuckle.

Remove the hub-to-steering knuckle bolts, using a breaker bar and socket. Pull the hub and metal splash shield from the steering knuckle just far enough to access the ABS sensors retaining bolt. Remove the ABS sensors retaining bolt with a ratchet and socket, and pull the sensor from the hub. Remove the hub and splash shield from the vehicle.

Clean the steering knuckles mating surface and bore, using a wire brush. Wipe all the debris from the steering knuckle with a clean, lint-free cloth and apply a thin coat of new wheel bearing grease to the steering knuckles bore.

Guide the ABS sensor through the splash shield and guide the sensor into the bore in the new hub. Align the bolt hole in the sensor with that in the hub, install the sensors retaining bolt and tighten it to 13 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and socket.

Set the splash shield into place on the wheel hub. Guide the wheel hub, splash shield and ABS sensor wiring into the steering knuckles bore. Double-check that the ABS sensors wiring is not pinched against the steering knuckle, then hand-thread the hub-to-steering knuckle bolts. Tighten the hub-to-steering knuckle bolts to 133 foot-pounds.

Position the ABS sensor wiring and brake hose bracket into 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.

Install the rotor onto the new hub. Remove the caliper, brake pads and caliper bracket assembly from the bungee strap and lower the assembly onto the steering knuckle, guiding the caliper and brake pads over the rotor.

Coat the caliper bracket-to-steering knuckle bolts threads with a thin coat of a thread-locking compound. Hand-thread the caliper bracket-to-steering knuckle bolts and torque them to 121 foot-pounds.

Reinstall the wheel onto the front hub and hand-tighten the lug nuts. Lift the Tahoe off of the jack stands and remove the stands. Slowly lower the SUV to the ground, then tighten the lug nuts, in a crisscross pattern, to 140 foot-pounds.

Press the brake pedal about two-thirds of its total travel, then release it. Wait about 15 seconds. Repeat this step, including the 15-second wait, until the brake pedal feels firm.