Disclaimer: This guide is provided for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional advice from a qualified mechanic. Attempting repairs on your vehicle may be dangerous, and you should consult with a professional before undertaking any repairs.
Tools and Materials Needed:
- Jack and jack stands
- Lug wrench
- Breaker bar
- Socket set (including 17mm and 19mm sockets)
- Flat-head screwdriver
- Hammer
- Pliers
- New front wheel bearing and hub assembly (compatible with your vehicle)
Instructions:
1. Prepare Your Car: Park your Kia Sorento on a level surface and engage the parking brake. Loosen the lug nuts on the front wheel where you're replacing the bearing, using the lug wrench. Do not remove lug nuts completely.
2. Raise the Vehicle: Use the jack to lift your Kia Sorento until the front wheel is off the ground. Secure your car with jack stands to ensure it's stable.
3. Remove the Wheel: Now remove the lug nuts completely and take off the front wheel.
4. Remove the Caliper: Locate the brake caliper on the back of the wheel hub. Remove the two 17mm bolts that hold the caliper in place, using the socket wrench. Gently hang the caliper using a piece of wire to prevent it from damaging the brake line. Do not let it hang freely.
5. Remove the Rotor: There's a single 19mm bolt that holds the rotor to the hub. Remove this bolt using the socket wrench and slide the rotor off the wheel hub.
6. Detach the Axle Nut: Use your socket wrench to loosen, but do not remove, the axle nut in the center of the hub. This nut helps hold the wheel bearing in place.
7. Pry Off the Hub Assembly: Position the flat-head screwdriver between the hub assembly and the steering knuckle. Gently pry the hub assembly away from the steering knuckle, being careful not to damage any components.
8. Remove the Axle Nut: Now, remove the axle nut completely.
9. Extract the Hub Assembly: Slide the hub assembly off the steering knuckle. You may need to tap the back of the hub assembly gently with a hammer to loosen it. Be cautious not to damage the steering knuckle or the hub assembly itself.
10. Replace the Wheel Bearing: Press the new wheel bearing and hub assembly into place, ensuring it sits properly in the steering knuckle.
11. Secure the Axle Nut: Now, put the axle nut back on and tighten it securely.
12. Reattach Hub Assembly: Slide the hub assembly back into place and ensure it's seated correctly.
13. Install the Rotor: Place the rotor back onto the hub assembly and secure it with the 19mm bolt you removed earlier.
14. Reattach the Caliper: Reattach the brake caliper to the hub assembly using the two 17mm bolts.
15. Replace the Wheel: Put the front wheel back on and secure the lug nuts. Lower the vehicle using the jack and remove the jack stands. Do not tighten the lug nuts completely yet.
16. Tighten the Lug Nuts: Use the lug wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern until they are snug. Then, lower the vehicle fully to the ground. Use the lug wrench once again to tighten the lug nuts one more time. Be sure to tighten them in the star pattern to ensure proper distribution of force and prevent warping.
17. Test the Repair: Take your Kia Sorento for a short drive, preferably on a less busy road. Test the brakes and steering to ensure everything is working properly. Confirm the absence of unusual sounds or vibrations from the front wheel area.
Remember, if you're not confident in your mechanical abilities or do not have the necessary tools, it's best to take your Kia Sorento to a qualified mechanic for the front wheel bearing replacement.
