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Pontiac Vibe Wheel bearing replacement


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Roger2561
User

Jul 9, 2012, 5:11 PM

Post #1 of 12 (14645 views)
Pontiac Vibe Wheel bearing replacement Sign In

Hi everyone. I'm new here. I need help with my 2006 Pontiac Vibe AWD 1.8L motor with 61,000 miles on it. The drivers side rear wheel bearing needs replacing. I've worked on many trucks in the past and the brakes usually came apart rather simple. However, I'm having trouble removing the brake drum so I can continue the disassembly process. On the trucks there is a "window" where a special tool is inserted to release the auto adjusting unit. However, I cannot seem to release the auto adjust so i can remove the drum. Any tool I have is for pickup trucks and they simply too big to fit in the access hole. Presumably I'll need a smaller one to fit the car. Once I have the drum off, I'm assuming the brake shoes and associated hardware removes the same as the pick up trucks. Any and all assistance will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help. Roger


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Jul 9, 2012, 5:56 PM

Post #2 of 12 (14618 views)
Re: Pontiac Vibe Wheel bearing replacement Sign In

Unless your brake drums are grooved, the drum should slide right off. Sometimes rotating the drum will help. If you have to back off the adjuster, you will have to make a tool to lift the adjusting lever off the teeth to be able to rotate it backwards.It works like a ratchet and only tightens unless the lever is lifted off of it.



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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Jul 9, 2012, 6:19 PM

Post #3 of 12 (14608 views)
Re: Pontiac Vibe Wheel bearing replacement Sign In







Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


Roger2561
User

Jul 10, 2012, 4:40 AM

Post #4 of 12 (14570 views)
Re: Pontiac Vibe Wheel bearing replacement Sign In

Hammer and Discretesignals; Thanks for the reply.

Hammer - Unfortunately, they do not simply pull off. I have tried to pull them like I did on my pickups but without any luck. I'm assuming I'll have to purchase some kind of tool to fit through the access hole in the backing plate to back off the auto adjuster. I'll check with my parts guy this evening.

Discretesignal; The diagram you provided is a huge help. It shows a slot through which a couple of screwdrivers are placed to manually loosen the auto adjuster. On the Vibe it only has a small hole not much larger than the finger nail on my index finger. I did not find a slot as shown in the diagram. Perhaps I didn't look close enough. I'll have another look this evening.

Gentlemen - If you had your choice of repair manuals to purchase, which would you use? The Haynes or Chilten (I think that's the other one) manuals?

Thanks for your expertise and assistance.

Roger


Tom Greenleaf
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Jul 10, 2012, 5:02 AM

Post #5 of 12 (14561 views)
Re: Pontiac Vibe Wheel bearing replacement Sign In

If need be just get some cheap flat head screw drivers such that two fit in that small hole, bend one to act as a brake spoon for star adjuster and another small one so it can move the lever away (unseen really) such that adjuster can retract instead of only going in ratcheting direction to tighten it more.

If drum is free from hub. If not get that and drum should wiggle but not come off if shoes too tight against a rust ring or area not worn from the shoes.

Avoid plain prying or pullers as backing plate isn't as strong as you might think and can be damaged,

T



Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Jul 10, 2012, 5:09 AM

Post #6 of 12 (14556 views)
Re: Pontiac Vibe Wheel bearing replacement Sign In


Quote
If you had your choice of repair manuals to purchase, which would you use? The Haynes or Chilten (I think that's the other one) manuals?


Knowing what I know now, neither. They both are about the same when it comes to content. They are usually vague and have horrible wiring schematics. I'm not a saleman, but if you want good service information subscribe to Alldata DIY and warm up the printer.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Jul 10, 2012, 5:43 AM

Post #7 of 12 (14543 views)
Re: Pontiac Vibe Wheel bearing replacement Sign In

Yep, Alldata all the way.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Roger2561
User

Jul 11, 2012, 3:06 AM

Post #8 of 12 (14502 views)
Re: Pontiac Vibe Wheel bearing replacement Sign In

Okay, I signed on to Alldata DIY and it appears to be a great source of information. Thanks for the tip.

Looking at the description for removal of the rear wheel hub and bearing, it says first to remove the knuckle. Is this the only way to remove the hub or can the hub be removed without removing the knuckle? I understand the ease it provides by removing the knuckle, I'm just curious if it can be done without removing the knuckle. Thanks for your help guys. I appreciate it. Roger


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Jul 11, 2012, 3:12 AM

Post #9 of 12 (14500 views)
Re: Pontiac Vibe Wheel bearing replacement Sign In

Maybe this job isn't for you.

You have an AWD vehicle which means there is an axle going through that hub and the hub bolts from the rear. How do you propose you are going to get those bolts out with the axle in place?



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Roger2561
User

Jul 11, 2012, 4:42 AM

Post #10 of 12 (14489 views)
Re: Pontiac Vibe Wheel bearing replacement Sign In

Hammer - It's not that I can't do the job - it's rather simple compared to some of the repairs I did on my trucks - I was just curiosity, thats all. Plus, this is a challenge because compared to the trucks, everything on the car is micro so locating things is a bit different. Once I found what I was looking for, the brake drum removed without any effort whatsoever. In the trucks, I was able to sit upright inside the wheel well and have a great view of everything behind the backing plate. That can't be done with the car so I have to adjust. This is my first car I have ever owned, so it's a learning curve for me. Plus, I never turn away from a challenge.

Thanks for the concern and for the help. I appreciate it. Roger


Roger2561
User

Jul 12, 2012, 5:38 PM

Post #11 of 12 (14443 views)
Re: Pontiac Vibe Wheel bearing replacement Sign In

Update - The new rear wheel bearing/hub assembly is in place. It went in much easier than the one that came out. All that remains to be done is re-install the brakes, bleed the system and go for a test ride. That'll happen in the morning.

I want to thank you guys for the assistance with this project. I couldn't have done it without you. Thanks again. Roger


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Jul 12, 2012, 7:11 PM

Post #12 of 12 (14436 views)
Re: Pontiac Vibe Wheel bearing replacement Sign In

Glad it worked out.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.







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