cookc327

My '99 has approx. 165K total. Growling noise from rear end - repair shop says it will cost $800.00 to replace bearings. I can get bearing/hub assemblies from eBay for $145 a side.
My questions are
1) Has any one tried this? Is it a driveway job?
2) Does the $800 seem fair?
3) What is the quality of those assemblies I can get on eBay?
4) Where can I get the spec's for the assembly replacement besides purchasing a service manual?

Thanks.

JSM1284

Rear calls for 2.1 hours to do both rear......


REMOVAL


REMOVE REAR WHEEL Torque: 103 Nm (1,050 kgf-cm, 76 ft. lbs.)
REMOVE BRAKE CALIPER AND DISC
Remove the brake caliper and disc. Torque: 47 Nm (475 kgf-cm, 34 ft. lbs.)
Support the brake caliper securely.
CHECK BEARING BACKLASH AND AXLE HUB DEVIATION



Using a dial indicator near the center of the axle hub and check the backlash in the bearing shaft direction. Maximum: 0.05 mm (0.0020 inch) If the backlash exceeds the maximum, replace the axle hub with the bearing.



Using a dial indicator, check the deviation at the surface of the axle hub outside the hub bolt. Maximum: 0.07 mm (0.0028 inch) If the deviation exceeds the maximum, replace the axle hub with the bearing.
REMOVE REAR AXLE HUB
Remove the 4 bolts and rear axle hub. Torque: 80 Nm (820 kgf-cm, 59 ft. lbs.)
Remove the O-ring. HINT: At the time of installation, coat a new O-ring with MP grease.
Support the backing plate securely.
REMOVE ABS SPEED SENSOR Torque: 7.8 Nm (80 kgf-cm, 69 inch-lbs.)
REMOVE REAR AXLE CARRIER



Loosen the 3 nuts. Torque: Nut A (Reused nut): 196 Nm (2,000 kgf-cm, 145 ft. lbs.) Nut A (New nut): 255 Nm (2,600 kgf-cm, 188 ft. lbs.) Nut B: 181 Nm (1,850 kgf-cm, 134 ft. lbs.) HINT: At the time of installation, please refer to the following items.
After stabilizing the suspension, torque the nuts.
If reusing the 2 nuts, coat the nut's threads with engine oil.



Remove the bolt and nut, and disconnect the strut rod from the rear axle carrier. NOTICE: When removing/installing bolt, stop the nut from rotating and loosen/torque the bolt. Torque: 113 Nm (1,150 kgf-cm, 83 ft. lbs.)
Remove the 2 nuts and bolts on the lower side of the shock absorber.
Remove the nut, bolt and No.2 lower suspension arm.
Remove the rear axle carrier.
INSTALLATION
Installation is in the reverse order of removal.
AFTER INSTALLATION, CHECK ABS SPEED SENSOR SIGNAL AND REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT

cookc327

Thanks JSM, this is great information.
At first glance, it doesn't look easy, but it looks to be do-able. Tough part (after the snow melts in the driveway) would seem to be the suggested wheel alignment and abs speed sensor signal check after installation.
But $800 would buy a lot of alignment time at the tire store I guess.
Do you know if the O-ring that is mentioned is a standard size? Or is it specialized?

Thanks again.