Whether as a hobbyist or workshop: Changing wheel bearings does not work without wheel bearing tools. This is specially designed to carefully remove and install the sensitive wheel bearings without damaging them or other vehicle parts.
Usually, wheel-bearing pullers come in handy sets that are applicable to many vehicles. Unfortunately, according to tests, this does not apply to all products. Therefore, when buying a wheel-bearing toolset from our comparison, make sure you have many adapters so that you can use it for a variety of makes and models.
How to choose the right product from the wheel bearing tools
- When changing wheel bearings, there are different approaches. Accordingly, the content of the wheel bearing tools in the comparison also differs in part. It is not always necessary to have every part. In addition, a distinction is made between mechanical and hydraulic tools for wheel bearings. According to wheel bearing tool tests, most variants are mechanical. These are also significantly cheaper.
- It is important to have a wide range of adapters so that the wheel bearing toolset is versatile, i.e. compatible with many brands and models.
- It is also worth looking at the material of the wheel-bearing toolset. This should be as sturdy as possible. The same applies to the packaging, usually, a case, in which the wheel bearing pullers can be stored. If both are of high quality, you will enjoy your wheel-bearing toolset for many years.
Check the wheel bearing condition before replacing the wheel bearing set
To be able to replace the wheel bearings at the right time, you should regularly check their condition. Also, in order to save costs when replacing wheel bearings, in this case, you should not just replace the wheel bearings at the rear, for example, but replace all of the car’s wheel bearings right away. Even as a technical layman, you can diagnose the condition of the bearings yourself if you know the typical symptoms of wheel bearing problems. In the first phase, signs of wear on wheel bearings are noticeable in the form of disturbed running smoothness and altered driving behavior.
In addition, rolling resistance increases, which also increases fuel consumption. If your car has roller bearings, you may still be able to eliminate handling problems by readjusting them. At the latest when the tapered rollers or balls of the wheel bearing are worn to such an extent that they can no longer be readjusted, the wheel bearings must be replaced. In advanced condition, defective bearings start to make noises. For example, a defective bearing may cause a singing or soft banging sound when driving, with the driving noise increasing over time. At the latest, if you hear creaking or knocking noises coming from the direction of the wheels or wheel hubs, these are reliable signs that a wheel bearing is defective.
Hub Bearing Removal Tool – Best Choice
Best choice
OrionMotorTech Front Wheel Drive Bearing Removal Tool Kit
Complete kit for front-wheel drive vehicles. This 23-piece set comes with all the tools you need to make removal and installation a breeze. Near universal compatibility with most American, European and Japanese front wheel vans, cars, or light trucks.
5,0 Rating
Anti-rust premium grade materials.
Heavy-duty forged steel with a black-oxide finish.
Resists rust and corrosion.
Designed to work with the steering knuckle and strut assembly still on the vehicle.
Increase efficiency
What is the best hub bearing removal tool?
How to choose Hub Bearing Removal Tool
Best 5 Hub Bearing Removal Tools
1.
OrionMotorTech Front Wheel Drive Bearing Removal Tool Kit
2.
Astro Pneumatic Tool Front-Wheel Drive Bearing Puller Removal & Installer Adapter Kit
- Includes heavy duty 7/8″ grade 8 drive bolt
- Black phosphate coating for a more durable finish
4,9 Rating
3.
Orion Bearing Puller Set
- For front and rear wheel axle hubs
- For small or large center bearing seal removal
4,8 Rating
4.
OEM TOOLS Master Wheel Hub & Bearing Remover & Installer Kit
- Allows to mechanics to install inner wheel bearings without a shop press
- Widely compatible wheel bearing tool kit
4,5 Rating
5.
SUNROAD FWD Front Wheel Bearing Removal & Install Tool Kit
- For most front-wheel-drive cars, minivans, and light trucks
- Heavyweight drive screw may be used with impact tools
4,5 Rating
We have tested hub bearing removal tools and selected the best products for you
Changing wheel bearing sets – some safety instructions
When replacing wheel bearings, you should avoid any risk, as you first have to remove several safety-relevant parts when replacing wheel bearings and then correctly re-install them later, including wheel bearing press-fitting. When changing a wheel bearing or wheel bearing set, you should therefore either have the professional knowledge to do so yourself or have an automotive specialist help you.
Changing wheel bearings – choosing the right tool
In addition, you can save costs and effort when changing wheel bearings if you use tools for changing wheel bearings that make the work easier. As tools for changing wheel bearings on the car, pressing in wheel bearings or changing wheel bearing sets, you should have at least standard wrench sets or nuts, Allen wrenches, screwdrivers, a pipe wrench, needle-nose pliers, and a hammer at hand. For pressing or pulling off and also for mounting new bearings, it is best to use puller tools such as an impact hammer with puller attachment, three-arm puller, or mounting iron.
When replacing wheel bearings, this tool can also help with press-fitting. Heavily worn or seized wheel bearings often can only be removed with these special tools. Also remember that you need safe lifting equipment and stable trestles, ramps, or similar for lifting and jacking up the vehicle. To better loosen an axle bearing that is firmly seated on the axle pin, spraying it with rust remover will help.
Removing wheel bearings
To change a wheel bearing on a car, you need to jack up the car to be able to remove the wheel on the affected side of an axle. Once you have removed the wheel, on a car with disc brakes, you will see the brake disc, including the brake caliper and brake hose, located in front of the wheel hub. On a drum brake, which is more common on rear wheels, the brake drum surrounds the wheel hub like a sleeve, so here the hub is between the brake drum and the wheel bearing. To access the wheel bearing, you must first remove the brake caliper carrier on a vehicle with disc brakes. When doing this, you should take particular care to ensure that the brake hose remains undamaged. Once you have removed the brake caliper, it is loose but remains connected to the vehicle through the brake hose.
You should make sure that the brake hose is not kinked or similarly deformed. Then, when removing the wheel bearing according to the instructions, start by removing the brake disc by disconnecting the connector of the sensor. Then remove the brake disc after loosening the locking screws. At the latest after removing the brake disc, the wheel hub is exposed, which is located in front of the wheel bearing.
You can remove the grease cap using a pipe wrench, for example. Behind the grease cap, you will find one with a nut, which may be secured with a split pin. If there is a cotter pin, you can simply remove it with the help of needle-nose pliers. You can now loosen and remove the now unsecured nut. Then remove the thrust washer behind it. Now the bearing is exposed and can be removed from the axle journal together with the hub. You should then clamp the hub in a vice to remove the old wheel bearing after levering it out and removing the sealing rings.