Wheel bearings are a small but critical vehicle component. They support the weight of your 1993 Nissan Pathfinder and assure the smooth rotation of its wheels. A failing wheel bearing can cause poor gas mileage, steering wander, and increased stress and wear on axle and steering components. If you notice a grinding, moaning or other strange noise coming from your wheel, it may be time to change the wheel bearings. With the right tools, changing the wheel bearings on your 1993 Pathfinder is a relatively easy, inexpensive repair.
Tools Used: Tools, Jack stands, Lug wrench, 8-inch C-clamp, Sockets and socket wrench, Breaker bar, Piece of wire, Flat head screwdriver, Needle-nose pliers, High-temperature bearing grease, Parts cleaner, Hammer, Block of wood, Torque wrench
Replace Wheel Bearings
Preparation and Removal
Raise the front of your 1993 Nissan Pathfinder with a jack and support it on jack stands. Place the vehicle in park, engage the parking brake and chock the rear wheels. Remove the lugs from the front wheel with a lug wrench then remove the wheel.
Use an 8-inch C-clamp to compress the brake caliper then remove the C-clamp. Use a socket wrench or breaker bar, if necessary, to remove the two mounting bolts from the back of the brake caliper. Remove the brake caliper and secure it out of the way with a piece of wire to prevent kinking or breaking the brake line.
Remove the dust cap from the center of the hub with a flat head screwdriver. Use a pair of needle-nose pliers to straighten the ends of the cotter pin and remove it from the adjusting nut cap. Remove the adjusting nut and washer.
Pull the wheel hub slightly towards you then push it back onto the spindle to loosen the outer wheel bearing. Remove the outer wheel bearing and wheel hub from the spindle. Pry the grease seal out of the back of the wheel hub and remove the inner wheel bearing.
Installation
Clean the spindle and wheel hub thoroughly with parts cleaner. Allow the parts to dry completely.
Pack high-temperature bearing grease into the new wheel bearings. Use the palm of your hand to work bearing grease completely into the wheel bearings, making sure to get bearing grease between all of the rollers and moving surfaces. Lightly grease the spindle and the inside of the wheel hub where the original wheel bearings and grease seal were located.
Insert the inner wheel bearing into the rear of the wheel hub. Insert the grease seal into the rear of the wheel hub. Use a hammer and a small block of wood to tap the grease seal until it is flush with the back of the wheel hub. Carefully place the wheel hub back onto the spindle.
Insert the outer wheel bearing into the front of the wheel hub. Install the washer and adjusting nut. Tighten the adjusting nut to 27 foot-pounds with a torque wrench. Spin the wheel forward to seat the wheel bearing. Check to ensure that the adjusting nut is still tightened to 27 foot-pounds. Spin the wheel in both directions several times. Check the adjusting nut one final time.
Loosen the adjusting nut by 1/8-turn and install the adjusting nut cap. If the hole in the adjusting nut cap does not line up with the hole in the spindle, align the holes by turning the adjusting nut counterclockwise. Once the holes are aligned, insert the cotter pin and bend the ends flat against the adjusting nut. Reinstall the dust cap, caliper and tire/wheel assembly.
Tips & Warnings
Inspect the old wheel bearings for cracks, burrs or other signs of wear or damage. If the bearings appear damage-free, they can be repacked and reinstalled. If the old wheel bearings show any signs of wear or damage, they should be replaced with new wheel bearings.
Working around a raised vehicle can be dangerous. Make sure that the vehicle is in “Park,” the parking brake is fully engaged and the wheels are properly chocked.
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