Anyone ever changed a wheel bearing on the front. Mine is getting really bad and need to fix this weekend, but just wanted to know if I should just bring it to honda and have them do it or do it myself. How difficult is this job and do I need any special tools to help me along???
let me know, this noise is killing me

 

how do you know it is your wheel bearing? i've noticed an increase in wheel noise too, but i can't tell if its my kumho's (205) or just that i'm getting older

 

you have to get a shop to press those bearings out with a hydraulic press, and then also press the new ones in. I know it sucks that you can't do it yourself, but that's what you have to do if you don't have your own hydraulic press.

 

Couldnt you get creative and do it yourself?
I know Acura sells some tools for it, but wouldnt a block of wood and a mallet work?

 

It's pretty simple to take out the knuckle, but you will need to take it to a machine shop to press out the bearing.

To take out the knuckle -

1. Remove your wheel (duh).
2. Have someone hold the brake while you loosen the pain in the *** axle nut. It will be bent into a little notch in the axle to keep it from turning.You have to bend the rim of the nut outwards. This bolt is very tough, air tools recommended. I think it's a 32MM socket, if memory serves me correct.
3. Remove two 17MM caliper bolts and hang the caliper from the spring or something nearby with a string/wire. DO NOT let the caliper hang from the brake line.
4. Loosen ball joint on upper control arm and remove. It's not always easy to get the ball joint out of the knuckle so search for techniques to get it out on here.
5. Loosen ball joint from knuckle to lower control arm and try your luck getting it out.
6. Take it to a machine shop with your new bearing in hand and ask them to switch them for you.
7. Put it back together.

To get the ball joint out, thread the castle nut a few thread onto the ball joint and give it a sharp blow right in the center with a rubber/plastic hammer. I've heard this may "mushroom" the ball joint, so I suggest you find a better solution that you feel more comfortable with.

Also there's a ball joint remover/install tooler by Snap-On that's shown in the Helms. I'll see if I can scan a pic for you tonight.

 

Autozone rents them for free...check them out first

 

thanks for the info, but it seems a little much since I live in AK. it will probably cost me an arm and leg just to have the bearing pressed. I think I'll just take it to honda and let them deal with it.
I didn't know I needed to have a bearing pressed into it. I replaced the rear hub bearing on my civic, but it has drums in the back which made it real easy. I figured it would be kind of the same or I just needed like a slide hammer.
anyone else got any tips

 

You dont have to have a shop do it .... just got to know someone with a Press (; yea they got to get pressed out and pressed in ... not really that hard ... but since your breaking down that whole hub ... good time to do ... brakes ... rotors... camber kit ... springs ... shocks .. cv axles .. swaybars .. whatever (;