Wheel bearing replacement, 2009 Toyota Highlander

This Highlander came in for a simple oil change and the customer said “oh by the way, it has a noise", a test drive confirmed a wheel bearing and a stethoscope confirmed which one. Parts were in stock and it was ready to go by the end of the day.

[@bigbe3tsdrumming]

Seeing the issues and required tool for this job have told me taking it to a shop to replace the bearing will be best suited.

[@LaloumiHasbraim-er6ic]

Such an informative video! Thank you. I'm having this issue on my 08 Highlander.

[@frankbiz]

Great job. Would it be better to get OEM parts.

[@bulldogsautomotiveadventur4387]

Not always, but avoid store brands. We usually use National/BCA bearings but checking with OEM sometimes yields a better price, although not much warranty.

[@frankbiz]

@@bulldogsautomotiveadventur4387 I think KOYO or NSK is what Toyota uses. I have a 2008 Highlander with 256,000 miles and I think one of the front ones is starting to hum.

[@antoniomitchell1883]

@@frankbizya think?

[@DansGarageNC]

Great video. I can do the job, but it is my wifes vehicle so I think I am better off paying a mechanic to do it, lol.

[@bulldogsautomotiveadventur4387]

@@DansGarageNC the last one I did the guy had a family member do it for him, he left the tie rods, ball joints, brake brackets, and axle nuts loose…no idea why.

[@DansGarageNC]

@@bulldogsautomotiveadventur4387 Well, it was too much money, so I am doing it. Got the bearing out last night waiting for the replacement.

[@DansGarageNC]

Is there a direction on the bearing for the ABS? Both sides feel like a little magnetic.

[@bulldogsautomotiveadventur4387]

@@DansGarageNC I think the brown side is the encoder, goes towards the sensor

[@DansGarageNC]

@@bulldogsautomotiveadventur4387 Thanks. They look the same and both feel like they have magnets. Only difference is the lettering.

[@benbujwah]

How do you listen to identify which bearing was making the noise? Jack it up and spin it? Or did you do it somehow while driving. Thanks.

[@bulldogsautomotiveadventur4387]

We put it up on a lift and drive it, that’s complicated when it has traction control. Front wheel drive can be jacked up and ran.

[@FrrrrrOshs]

I was hoping to see how you removed the more difficult parts. But you did it off camera so I learned nothing new. I guess you have proprietary tools or trade secrets on mechanics.😥

[@bulldogsautomotiveadventur4387]

@@FrrrrrOshs it was already a twenty minute video, I just used a large socket as described to hammer out the hub, then put the hub in a vice and used an air hammer to vibrate off the inner race. As I said in the video I don’t have a Hub Tamer but this reminds me to get one before the next job.

[@DansGarageNC]

If you hear a noise while driving, you can drive slowly and turn to the left and right. Whichever way the noise is worse, is usually going to be the other side bearing as pressure is put on it.