Oldsmobile wheel bearing replacement

[aquariuscsm]

My gf`s 1998 Olds 88 needs to have the driver`s side front wheel bearing replaced. Is this something I can do at home,with the "usual" tool set,or is it something that requires specialty type tools to remove and replace? I`ve never had to replace one before,so I have no idea how hard/easy of a job this is.

 

[The_Jeff]

Should go easy, you just need a huge axle nut socket, 34-36mm, each year is slightly different.

If the car's still driveable I'm sure a parts store would let you take a few sockets out to the parking lot and test which fits.

In a nutshell you break the axle nut loose on the ground, take the tire/wheel off, the brake caliper and rotor and bracket. Knock the axle end stub through the splines. Remove the strut to knuckle bolts and probably the tie rod end so you can flex the hub enough that you can fold the axle into a Z and wiggle it out. Three smallish bolt heads inside the spindle hold the bearing in. Unplug any ABS wire. Installation is reverse.

 

[SkyGod]

$55 from rock auto.
You need the complete hub assembly.
No special tools needed.
Check the library for your repair manual.

 

[Stu_Rock]

I remember doing this on my last Buick, which I think takes the same hub/bearing assembly as the 88. It is a pretty easy job, as long as nothing goes wrong.

What I remember was that the instructions in the official GM service manual were totally wrong, so I wrote up my own. Here it is:
http://pangea.stanford.edu/~schmitt/car/bearing/

 

[Papa Bear]

Looks pretty straight forward