Advertisement
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
We are not experts or professionals in any field. Any advice or information found on this website should not be considered as 100% accurate and is provided on an AS-IS basis. Use any information you find here at your own risk. Click here and carefully read and agree to the DISCLAIMER statements before using any information found on this website.




back button
Front Wheel Hub Replacement Instructions
Print 
Written by ESTAVER - AACA Reatta Forum
Sunday, 23 May 2004

 
 
The following was written for a 1989 model. Check to see if these instructions apply to your model before proceeding.

PLEASE NOTE: Some hubs that you will find listed for the Buick Reatta are not ABS system compatible. The correct hub will have a clogged reluctor gear on the back side of the hub that triggers the ABS wheel sensor. (see photo)


 





The '89 service manual does not really address this issue very well.

THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE IS WHAT I DID. IT IS NOT A RECOMMENDATION OR GM APPROVED METHOD. IF IN DOUBT ABOUT ANY STEP OR DESCRIPTION, CONSULT THE GM SERVICE MANUAL.

There is a $ 20.00 refundable deposit on the puller that can be rented at AutoZone. The manual calls for a 36 MM deep well socket for the axle nut. I found that a 12 point regular socket worked better.

Instructions for changing the Wheel Hub :

This sequence is different from the shop manual in some steps.
  • 1. Apply park brake and chock wheels, place shifter in park.
  • 2. Loosen axle nut and lug nuts (1/4) one-quarter turn.
  • 3. Raise car until wheel is off ground and remove, then run two lugs finger tight on rotor.
  • 4. Remove entire brake caliper and mount as one unit by removing 2 back bolts at knuckle.
    • There is no need to disturb the caliper mount bolts.if removed they must be replaced new.

  • 5. Hang complete caliper away with stiff wire bent over strut spring. No weight on hose!
  • 6. Remove the 2 lugs and brake rotor.
  • 7. Place shifter in neutral. Do not depress brake pedal!
  • 8. Rotate larger hole in lug flange and remove the 3 (three) t-55 torx bolts that mount hub.
  • 9. Note placement of brake shield and remove.
  • 10. Place shifter in park and remove axle nut and washer.
    • The shop manual recommends using a new nut if when threading back on there is no prevailing torque resistance I used the old nut.

  • 11. Mount hub puller and remove old hub.
    • hub_puller_j-28733.jpg
Install new hub as follows:
  • 1. Carefully clean old grease from the bore of the knuckle being careful not to cut or deform the lip seal for drive shaft.

    NOTE: It is possible to change the lip seal behind the bearing without removing the half shaft.   This is done by pushing the old seal out the back and then cutting it in half to remove from the shaft. The new seal is pressed in from the front prior to installing the hub. The half shaft does not need to be removed if you install the seal using this method.

  • 2. Push drive shaft toward transmission and clean sealing surfaces.(my seal was in excellent shape,so I did not replace it. (To do so means pulling the half shaft) lube lip seal with bearing grease and pull shaft back into seal.)
  • 3. Fill knuckle/hub cavity with bearing grease.
    • Lightly lube hub o-ring and spline with grease and push onto axle spline.

  • 4. Place shifter in neutral, align shield, apply med. Strength thread locking compound (I used Locktite 242 ) to t-55 hub bolts and draw up bolts evenly until hub is pulled into bore. Tighten to 70 ft./lbs (‘89 model).
  • 5. Place shifter in park, install rotor with two nuts just snug, tighten axle nut to washer, just snug.
  • 6. Install caliper w/med. Thread lock compound. (83 ft/lbs as per service manual).
  • 7. Place shifter in neutral and rotate hub to check for any binding.
  • 8. Place shifter in park, install wheel with snug lug nuts.
  • 9. Lower car so tire is touching ground and tighten lugs.

    Tighten axle nut to 180 ft/lbs as per ‘89 model spec’s.

Note: Although the noise seemed to come from the drivers side, it cleared up after changing the passenger’s side hub. Hope this helps. And thanks to those who have helped me here.



 

Last Updated Sunday, 29 January 2012

Comments 

 
0 #1 Walt 2011-12-29 09:54
Just wondering what the symptoms were before it was decided to replace this unit and what is a good source for the part?

Thank You
Quote
 

Add your comments:

Please use the form below to add your comments or corrections to this article.
(Comments must be approved by the website administrator before they are published)

Comment:


Security code Click here to refresh security code

Enter security code in the box below

< Prev   Next >


IMPORTANT NOTICE:
We are not experts or professionals in any field. Any advice or information found on this website should not be considered as 100% accurate and is provided on an AS-IS basis. Use any information you find here at your own risk. Click here and carefully read and agree to the DISCLAIMER statements before using any information found on this website.


Help Support Us

Enter Amount:

Advertisements

 
Click here for more info.
Your ad here

(Click the page numbers above for more Reatta parts)