How to Replace the Rear Axle Hub on a 2000 Nissan Sentra

The 2000 Nissan Sentra has a rear axle mounted spindle. The rear axle hub has a pressed-on sealed-wheel bearing. The hub and bearing cant be reused once removed. When ordering the hub bearing, emphasize whether or not the vehicle has ABS brakes. With ABS brakes the hub has a land for the ABS reluctor ring. The reluctor ring must be removed and transferred to the new hub.

Instructions

Block a front wheel with a wheel chock. Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts 1/2-turn using the lug wrench to make it easier to remove once raised. Raise the rear of the Sentra with the floor jack and place a jack stand under each side of the rear axle. Lower the car to rest on the stands. Remove the lug nuts on the rear wheels with the lug wrench. Remove the wheels.

Remove the brake drum if so equipped by pulling it off. If it is rusted on, tap the drum face along the outside edge with a hammer to break it loose.

Remove the two caliper bolts using a socket and ratchet, if the vehicle has rear disc brakes. Remove the bolt securing the ABS sensor if so equipped and remove the sensor to keep it out of harm's way.

Remove the caliper brake hose retaining clip bolt using a socket. Lift the caliper off the brake pads and suspend it from the coil spring using a suitable piece of wire. Remove the two bolts in the caliper mounting bracket using a socket and ratchet. Pull off the rotor.

Using a wire cutter, remove the cotter pin from the spindle. Remove the lock washer by pulling it off. Remove the large spindle nut using a breaker bar and socket. Remove the flat washer that was under the lock nut.

Install the slide hammer over the wheel studs. Install the lug nuts about three turns to hold the sliding hammer onto the hub. Remove the hub with the sliding hammer.

Lay the hub face down if the car has ABS. Install the two-armed gear puller under the ABS reluctor ring. Use a socket or flat piece of metal over the hub center opening so the pulley center shaft has something to rest on. Use a socket and ratchet to turn the puller shaft and remove the ring.

Lay the new hub bearing face down and spread a very thin layer of anti-seize compound on the mating surface for the reluctor ring. Tap the ring on using the drift and hammer. Be careful to keep the drift against the hub so the teeth are not damaged. Tap it down until it rests firmly on the hubs land.

Spread a thin layer of anti-seize on the spindle-bearing surface, spindle threads and the flat washer that goes under the spindle nut. Install the hub bearing assembly as far as possible by hand. Place the washer on the spindle followed by a new spindle nut.

Torque the spindle nut to 188 foot-pounds using the torque wrench and a socket. Spin the hub to make sure that it spins freely without binding. Install the lock washer and cotter pin on the spindle. Some cars do not use the lockwasher and cotter pin. Install the cap over the spindle nut. Install the brake drum.

Install the ABS sensor. Install the rotor and caliper-mounting bracket. Torque the mounting bracket bolts to 80 foot-pounds. Install the caliper piston-rotating tool and rotate the piston clockwise one turn. There is no need to seat the piston since the brake pads are not being replaced. By turning the piston in slightly, the caliper is much easier to reinstall.

Spread some anti-seize compound on the anti-rattle clips on the caliper-mounting bracket. Spread a small amount of the caliper slider pins as well. Install the brake pads into the mounting bracket. Install the spring above both brake pads. This is the large flat spring that grips both pads and lies under the caliper.

Lower the caliper over the brake pads and install the caliper pins and bolts. Torque the two bolts to 28 foot-pounds. Install the wheels and torque the lug nuts to 50 foot-pounds. Using the floor jack, lift the car, remove the jack stands and lower the car. Retorque the lug nuts to 80 foot-pounds in a criss-cross pattern. Remove the wheel chock from the front wheel.