Hello.. Left front wheel is loose on my 99 Max, wheel bearing problem (again). Loose at 129K miles (now).. I also had this bearing replaced at 59K and 108K, both times it was loose. I am at the point where I am toying with the idea of DIY on this... Has anyone used the Hub Tamer Elite tool from OTC? Literature states it can do the whole job while the steering knuckle is on the car. Just wondering if anyone has had experience with it on a 99 Max... I am getting quotes of like $300 to do this, so the tool may be worth it (can't have enough tools)....

 

tool works very good. i used it twice when i worked at infiniti. just as the directions say you dont have to remove the knuckle from the car.

 

Thanks.. are these are the basic steps?
1) remove axle nut
2) split tie rod end
3) disconnect strut from hub assembly, then slide axle out
4) pull hub using the tool
5) replace bearing using tool (press bearing out of the steering knuckle, press new one in? is part of the bearing is on the hub also?)
6) reinstall hub (uing tool?), axle, connect tie rod end and strut

I am fuzzy on step 5... Is part of the bearing on the hub and the other part on the knuckle? Also, I assume there are grease seals involved here as well? thanks for any pointers you could provide on this....

 

when you remove the hub part of the bearing stays with the hub. i usually cut half way through the bearing race and then hit the race where you cut with a chisel and the race will come off the hub. it is a fairly easy job. it takes some time especially if this is your first. also there is a snap ring you will have to remove before pressing the bearing out.

 

Finally tackled this over the weekend, and the tool was GREAT. The new version (elite) has a puller with it that can be used to remove the race that stays on the hub.. the only aggravating part (other than the rusted bolts holding the lower strut mount) was the darn snap rings. I have a snap ring tool, with pins that insert into where the snap ring usually has small holes at each end (where the gap is). But these snap rings had no holes, just tabs. It was a major pain to pry them out using a screwdriver, and even worse to re-install them... all that remains is a trip to the dealer to get the spindle nut retainer, which was missing when I started (previous wheel bearing repair done professionally and apparently carelessly as well)....