How to Replace Wheel Bearings on a 2001 Nissan Sentra

Wheel bearings carry the weight of the wheels in your 2001 Nissan Sentra. They also help to prevent wear on the driveshaft. When the wheel bearings begin to wear out on your Sentra, you will hear a "whistle" coming from that wheel while you are driving. Normally, the faster you move, the louder the "whistle". You should check the Sentra's wheel bearings every 30,000 miles. However, most likely, they will need to be replaced after 60,000 miles.
Difficulty: Challenging
Instructions
Things You'll Need
4 ton jack with jack stands
Tire wrench
Channel locks
Pliers
Bearing race driver tool
Various size punch tools
Open ended and box end wrench set (metric)
Socket wrench and socket set (metric)
Torque wrench
Shop towels or rags
New wheel bearings
Wheel bearing grease
New cotter pin
New grease seals
Zip ties
Rubber mallet
Hammer
Brake parts cleaner
1

Engage the emergency brake. Place the socket end of the tire wrench over the lug nuts and turn 45 degrees to break the nuts loose. Do not unseat the wheel from the wheel hub.
2

Jack the Sentra into the air using the factory front jack point. This is located behind the radiator.
3

Finish loosening the lug nuts and remove the wheel.
4

Unbolt the upper and lower caliper mounting bolts and lift the caliper off the brake rotor.
5

Secure the brake caliper to the coil springs above the brake system with zip ties.
6

Slide the brake rotor off the hub assembly.
7

Remove the bearing cap on your Sentra. To do this, you need to use channel locks. Grab the bearing cap with the end of the channel locks. Then, twist the channel locks back and forth. You will eventually be able to loosen the bearing cap so that you can pull it off.
8

Grab the end of the cotter pin on the spindle nut with pliers and pull it out of the nut. You may need to pull fairly hard, but the pin will come out.
9

Turn the spindle nut counterclockwise to remove the spindle nut.
10

Tap the wheel bearing out of place with a rubber mallet or a hammer.
11

Tap the bearing races out of the hub with a hammer and punch tool. You need to do this for both sides of the hub.
12

Clean the inside of the hub, the spindle, as well as the spindle nut brake parts cleaner and wipe them dry with a clean rag.
13

Install the new wheel bearing. Tap the new bearing into the hub using a rubber mallet. Make sure you are using a rubber mallet so that you do not damage the new bearing.
14

Reassemble the hub assembly, brake assembly, and put the wheel back on and tighten the lug nuts so that the wheel sits flush against the wheel hub. Installation is the reverse of removal.
15

Lower the Sentra to the ground and set the dial on a torque wrench to 100 lb-ft. Tighten the lug nuts clockwise until the wrench clicks. This will indicate that the proper torque value has been reached.