One (or more) of my bearings have starting to growl a bit after about 30mph, so I figure it's probably time to go ahead and replace the front hubs (since as far as I'm aware, you can't just replace the bearing).

How difficult is it to do? Are there any common problems I might run into? Does everything usually come apart fairly easy, or am I going to need a torch and air tools?

 

Air tools make it go a lot faster/easier. Takes less than an hour per side with the correct tools. Here's a write up w/pics. http://go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoHubReplacement.htm

 

Yeah it's really easy dude I've done it on a few different vehicles .. Just if you don't have air tools remember to crack the big center nut first! and your lugs too other wise you'll be putting it back down on the ground again lol big pain in the ***!!

 

Either that or you could have someone sit on the brake. That's what I did and had no problems. Took like an hour and a half total and that's with pulling both axle shafts and cleaning and greasing then and cleaning dirt out of the axle tubes. Really straight forward.

 

Having done a few hubs on MI jeeps, it is not really that easy since the hub will be rust-welded to the knuckle. The hitting of the hub bolts from the back side does work but use a socket or something so you do not mess up the bolt head, it will take some force to break loose. I also had success with a 3-jaw pulley with the center on the axle shaft and pulling the wheel flange, 50% of the time the bearing will pull apart but all comes out easy.

On reassembly: USE ANTI-SEIZE!!! Clean the mating surface of the bearing/hub and use a generous amount of it. After 2 winters in MI my hubs basically fall out once I loosen the 3 bolts.

 

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/co...y-swap-129872/

it's a pretty easy job to be honest. Being in MI, I would highly recommend using some heat on the knuckle to help free up the hub assembly and then a hammer to tap it out.

 

I work by my self :P and my e break cable needs to be replaced actually lol sorry thinking in my jeep terms!! What grease did u use for inside the axel? Wouldn't mind doing a through job on mine!

 

You can always use the extension trick too..

 

I just used regular wheel bearing grease on the splines at each end.

 

i won't do it any other way!

 

Duh I wanted to know what kind!!

 

Lmao sorry. Idk what kind it is we just have it in a tub in our garage. I don't think it even has a name on it.

 

Thats why I was asking lmao my shop is the same it's mystery grease lmao!! I just know which goes where!

 

Olds, I'm pretty sure they are talking about using an extension for a brace and then the power steering to push the hub free. In in one of the writups no doubt.

Grease! I Scored a 5 Gal bucket of the "yellow kind" Lol. Thought I had a life time supply till I had to "take care" of a little dozer for a few years.

 

It is some where you just have to look cf is where I learned that trick!