Wheel Bearing Adjustment

Important: 

• Adjust the front wheel bearings correctly in order to ensure the front suspension functions properly.
• The bearings must be a slip fit on the spindle.
• Lubricate the bearings in order to ensure the bearings will creep.
• The spindle nut must have a free-running fit on the spindle threads.

1. Raise and suitably support the vehicle with safety stands.
2. Remove the wheel cover.
3. Remove the dust cap from the wheel hub.
   Fig 1: Wheel Bearing & Components

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
4. Remove the cotter pin. Tighten the wheel hub nut to 16 N.m (12 lb ft), while turning the wheel forward by hand. This will seat the bearings.

   Important:  Do not back the nut off more than 1/2 flat.

5. Adjust the nut to a finger tight position by hand. Then, back the nut off until the hole in the spindle aligns with a slot in the nut.
6. Install a new cotter pin.
   1. 6.1. Make sure the cotter pin ends do not interfere with the cap. Bend the ends of the cotter pin against the nut. Cut off any extra pin length.
   2. 6.2. Measure the end play. Proper end play is 0.03-0.13 mm (0.001-0.005 in).
7. Install the dust cap to the wheel hub.
8. Install the wheel cover.
9. Lower the vehicle.