Important: Never press on the brake pedal with the caliper removed unless you have properly blocked off the brake line to prevent caliper piston over-extension (which would ruin the master cylinder).
Instructions:
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and apply the parking brake.
2. Loosen the lug nuts on the front wheel that you are working on.
3. Raise the vehicle with a floor jack and support it with jack stands under the frame rails as close as possible to the front wheels but behind the engine cradle. Ensure the vehicle is secure before proceeding.
4. Remove the now-loose lug nuts and remove the wheel.
5. Remove the two 17mm bolts holding the brake caliper to the steering knuckle.
6. Separate the caliper from the steering knuckle and then use some type of device (such as a piece of wire or a large zip tie) to hang it from the upper control arm to keep it out of the way. Do not let the caliper rest on the brake hose.
7. Remove the brake disc. If rusted on, two bolts with nuts can be used to press it off carefully (never try to pry it off).
8. Remove the dust cover behind the brake disc using needle nose pliers.
9. Remove the snap ring located inside the steering knuckle.
10. Remove the three 10mm bolts that hold the wheel hub assembly in place.
11. Remove the axle nut using a special axle nut wrench.
12. Use a slide hammer to remove the hub assembly.
13. Installation is the reverse of removal but the new hub assembly axle nut should be torqued to 150-184 lb-ft.
13. When you press the brake pedal for the first time after replacing the hub, you will feel a spongy pedal as all the air gets pumped out of the line and the new pads contact the disc brake. With the engine running, firmly apply the brakes multiple times to make sure the pedal firms up.
