Do-it-yourself opel astra n hub repair

Front hub Opel Astra H - how to replace an assembly with a wheel bearing (1.4, 1.6, 1.8, LPG, CDTI, station wagon)

In the Opel Astra H car, the front hub bearing is located directly in the front hub housing itself. This design is not collapsible, therefore, to replace the front hub bearing with the Opel Astra N, you just need to remove the old hub assembly and install a new one, without pressing out the bearing itself. Inside there is also a wheel rotation sensor, in the event of a malfunction of which the hub assembly also changes entirely.

The price of a complete part is significantly higher than that of a standard ball bearing. Opel Astra H is a car above average in class, therefore, a lot of money (2000-3000 rubles) is also taken for this type of repair in a car repair shop.

From the foregoing, the conclusion suggests itself - it is more expedient to replace the front hub with the Opel Astra H on your own, moreover, during the repair, you will not need special tools, as well as the professional skills of a car mechanic.

The first significant signs that the front hub bearing of the Opel Astra H has begun to malfunction is extraneous noise from the wheel. Additional signs: vibration in the cabin, grinding sound, sensor instability, heating, wheel play.
To check the hub bearing on the Opel Astra N, perform the following operations:

1. First, the front wheel is hung out, on the side where the malfunctions (noise) are replaced;
2. Next, we spin the wheel with our hands to make sure that the noise comes from it;
3. The backlash and smoothness of rotation are immediately checked;
4. If possible, measure the axial play with an indicator, the value should not exceed 0.05 mm;
5. The heating of the hub part is checked immediately after the vehicle is stopped;
6. Watch a selection of videos on diagnostics, as well as examples of the operation of a faulty bearing in the Opel Astra H 1.6-1.8 hub.

Video (click to play).

The wheel bearing hummed:

How to check the hub assembly:

Front wheel hub bearing diagnostics:

- Frequent overheating of the part due to insufficient lubrication;
- Ingress of dirt or moisture due to depressurization of the oil seals (seals);
- Not thrifty driving on irregularities on the road (holes, potholes, curbs);
- Expiration of the specified service life declared by the manufacturer.
- Defect or manufacturing defect of the unit.

The Opel Astra H wheel bearing assembly is a standard flange piece with a double-row angular contact closed ball bearing pressed inside. The complete assembly is attached to the steering knuckle as well as to the drive shaft. The images below show the assembly layout, with a list of optional parts and fasteners.

Replacing the Opel Astra H wheel bearing begins with preparatory measures. Park your car on a level area with good lighting. Then we put wheel chocks under the rear wheels, remove the handbrake and engage in neutral. For repairs, you will need a standard set of spanners or ratchet sockets, as well as a jack. For the safety of the work, first loosen the wheel bolts and the drive shaft locknut, and only then raise the car with a jack.

1. After removing the wheel and unscrewing the hub lock nut, remove the brake caliper. To begin with, bend the retaining friction pad (spring) to the side with a screwdriver. Next, remove the caps of the rear mounting bolts.

1. We unscrew the rear mounting bolts.After that, removing the caliper, we hang it to the shock absorber spring.

1. Now we unscrew the brake disc with the TORX T30 head.
2. After removing the brake disc, take a hammer and carefully knock out the drive shaft.

1. We unscrew the bolted connection at the ball joint. Then we insert the screwdriver into the groove and hammer in with a hammer to unclench the fasteners.

1. Carefully hammer the suspension arm with a hammer to dislodge the ball end from the steering knuckle.

1. We turn the fist to gain access to the rear hub flange bolts to unscrew them.

1. After that, it is necessary to disconnect the ABS sensor wire in order to remove and replace the Opel Astra N. wheel bearing.

Before changing the wheel bearing, it is necessary to check the condition of the drive shaft and steering knuckle splines, as well as the tightness of the CV joint. Replacing the front hub bearing on the Opel Astra H is performed according to the instructions.

1. We prepare a new spare part for installation by removing the plastic cover. Then we point it to the mounting holes and screw it to the steering knuckle.
2. We connect the ABS sensor wire.

1. Next, insert the ball tip into the hole, screw it back to the fist, install the brake disc with the caliper in reverse order.

1. At the end of the assembly, tighten the lock nut with a torque wrench. For the tightening torque, see the corresponding article on our website or the technical information below.
2. Install the cotter pin, then screw the wheel back into place. This completes the replacement of the wheel bearing on the Opel Astra H car.

The choice of a hub bearing for the Opel Astra N by number and manufacturer should be taken seriously, since the cost of the part is 4000-9000 rubles. High-tech hub assemblies with integrated double-row angular contact wheel bearing and ABS (magnetic ring) sensor are best purchased from renowned bearing manufacturers. For example, the wheel bearing for the Opel Astra N from SKF (SKF), according to reviews, is one of the best among all analogues (price around 7,000 rubles)... Original spare parts from General Motors are also famous for their reliability, but the price of a product of this particular brand exceeds 16,000 rubles.

Below is a summary table with brief information on the recommended replacement ball bearings (price, article, completeness). The original wheel bearing number is 1603254 (Opel).

Hub bearings wear out rather quickly, because the quality of roads in Russia is far from the best quality. The first symptom of a worn bearing is a characteristic hum, which is more clearly audible at speeds over 60 km. At one o'clock. In this case, it is recommended to replace the bearings as quickly as possible.

It is better to change bearings in pairs, since if the first one buzzes, then the second one will soon also start, because the chassis wears out approximately evenly.

On the Opel Astra, the original wheel bearings are supplied immediately with a hub and an ABS sensor.

For the procedure for replacing the front wheel bearings, you will need:

1. Jack.
2. Observation pit
3. E type socket set (reverse sprocket).
4. Vorotok.
5. Lever extension.
6. Hammers.
7. WD-40.

1. Raise the vehicle from the required side with a jack.
2. Dismantle the wheel.
3. Open the brake pads.
4. Remove the hub nut protective cap.
5. Remove the hub nut. This is not so easy, since it is fixed according to the standard with a force of 280 N.m. Even putting the car in gear, the axle shaft will still scroll. To successfully unscrew the hub nut, do the following:
6. Remove the center plug from the disc and hang the wheel on two bolts.
7. Lower the vehicle from the jack.
8. Now you can apply all your weight and unscrew the nut.
9. Remove the ABS sensor mounting connector, which is located on the shock absorber strut.
10. Unscrew the brake caliper completely. But you don't need to completely disassemble it.
11. Remove the brake disc from the vehicle hub. If the disc changes, then you can simply knock it out with a hammer. If not, you need to use WD-40 and knock down the brake disc with light tapping. If you have a brake disc remover, you can remove it even faster.
12. Now it is recommended to pull the axle shaft out of the hub and free up space for work, that is, for dismantling the hub bolts.
13. To unscrew the axle shaft from the hub, it is necessary to unscrew the lower ball arm from the steering knuckle. It is necessary to twist with two knobs, since this is a "bolt with a nut".
14. Carefully remove the axle shaft after removing the ball shaft. The axle shaft is splined, care must be taken. The main thing is not to rip out the axle shaft from the gearbox, as you can immediately lose the transmission oil.
15. Now you can see the three bolts securing the hub to the steering knuckle.
16. It is necessary to unscrew them and remember at what angle the ABS sensor wire comes out. This angle must be remembered for further installation, so that the sensor wire was installed correctly. Otherwise, there won't be enough length. The most important thing to remember is that the wire comes out from the side of the brake caliper.
17. Now you need to remove the hub. Here you need to be even more careful, since there is no place to hit the hub, you cannot get close from the inside, because there is an ABS sensor. Plus, a mud guard is installed in the hub. In general, at this point it is necessary to carefully, step by step, remove the hub.
18. After removing the hub, the ABS sensor will remain in the steering knuckle. It must be carefully removed.
19. Carefully knock the ABS sensor off the new hub.
20. Install the old ABS sensor on the new hub and assemble the hub in the reverse order of dismantling.
21. Repeat the procedure with the second hub and wheel bearing.

When tightening the hub nut, it is necessary to do the same as when dismantling, that is, hang the wheel and lower the jack. This is necessary because the nut must be fastened with the same force of 280 Nm.

When repairing a wheel bearing and a hub, there is no need to unscrew the ball. You can simply knock out the CV joint and unscrew the steering wheel all the way, then you can easily crawl under all the bolts.

When installing a new hub, it is necessary to lubricate the hub itself and the seat with graphite grease. The sensor does not need to be turned off from the shoe. The procedure for replacing one wheel bearing together with the hub (optional) takes up to 6 hours. It all depends on the skill and experience of repairing the chassis of the car.

Replacing the rear hub bearings is carried out according to the same principle and method as replacing the front ones. The symptoms of worn bearings are absolutely identical - hum when driving at speeds over 60 km. At one o'clock. As a rule, the second symptom is wheel play when it is loose.

The procedure for replacing one bearing takes up to 4 hours, depending on the availability of the necessary tools and experience in repairing the chassis of the car. From the tools you need everything the same as when replacing the front wheel bearings.

1. Dismantle the wheel by first lifting the rear of the car with a jack.
2. Remove the dust cap.
3. Now you need to unscrew the nut, which is cottered. Pull out the cotter pin, unscrew the nut. Most bearings wear out quickly if this nut is not properly secured.
4. Now you need to wipe off dirt and dust from the DAC.
5. Remove the inner bearings from the hub. Wipe off dirty grease from seats.
6. Remove the oil seal from the inside of the hub and knock out the outer race of the old bearings. The use of hammers is recommended for this procedure.
7. Now it is necessary to press into the hub, while it is disassembled, the inner races from the already new bearings. This will significantly extend the life of the new bearings.
8. Now it is necessary to clog the area between the bearings and the bearings themselves with grease. Install the inner part of the bearing into the seat.
9. Install a new oil seal.
10. Put on the inner surface of the outer bearing and install it all on the DAC.
11. Install the washer that comes with the groove.
12. Tighten the nut with the required torque and put the wheel back on.
13. Pin and tighten the wheel.
14. Repeat the procedure for replacing the wheel bearing with the second wheel.
15. After 100 km, tighten the hub nut, if necessary.

The procedure for replacing wheel bearings is recommended to be done with a partner. Also, after replacing the wheel bearing, it is necessary to check the brake fluid level, because the entire brake system was removed at the time of repair and replacement of bearings. There is no need to visit service centers, the procedure for replacing bearings, both front and rear, can be performed in a garage, a matter of time and patience.

Watch an interesting video on this topic