That said, here's a *general* outline of the process. These steps may vary slightly depending on the specific details of your car's rear axle and hub assembly. Consult a repair manual specific to your 1992 Pontiac Grand Am SE for precise instructions and torque specifications.
General Steps (May Vary):
1. Safety First: Secure the vehicle on jack stands. Never work under a car supported only by a jack. Disconnect the negative battery terminal.
2. Remove the Wheel: Loosen the lug nuts with a lug wrench before jacking up the car. Remove the wheel.
3. Remove the Brake Drum or Rotor: Depending on whether your car has drum brakes or disc brakes in the rear, you'll need to remove either the drum or the rotor.
* Drum Brakes: Use a drum puller to remove the drum. You may need to carefully tap it with a mallet.
* Disc Brakes: Remove the caliper, usually by unbolting it and carefully hanging it out of the way (use a wire to keep it from dangling). Then remove the rotor. You might need to remove some caliper bolts first.
4. Remove the Hub Nut: This is usually a large nut at the center of the hub. You'll likely need a large socket and a breaker bar or impact wrench to remove it. The nut is likely very tight.
5. Remove the Axle Flange Nut(s): There are likely nuts or bolts securing the axle flange to the backing plate. You need to remove these.
6. Separate the Hub from the Axle Flange: The hub and axle flange are usually pressed together. This might require a press or, possibly, careful persuasion with a slide hammer or other specialized tools. Improperly separating these parts can damage them.
7. Remove the Hub: Once the axle flange nut and the hub are separated, the hub should come off.
8. Installation: Reassembly is the reverse of this process. Remember to properly torque all nuts and bolts to the manufacturer's specifications (found in your repair manual).
Crucial Considerations:
* Repair Manual: Get a repair manual specific to your 1992 Pontiac Grand Am SE. This is absolutely crucial for detailed instructions and torque specifications.
* Tools: You'll need a variety of tools, including sockets, wrenches, a breaker bar, possibly a slide hammer or hub puller, a press (possibly), and potentially a drum/rotor puller.
* Axle Seals: Replacing the axle seals is often recommended when doing this job, as they may be damaged during removal or be worn out.
* Bearings: Inspect the wheel bearings. If they're damaged or worn, they'll need to be replaced.
Again, this is a complex process. Unless you are experienced with car repair, take it to a mechanic. Improperly performing this job can lead to serious damage to your vehicle and potential safety hazards.
