First off, I need a second opinion. I had my drums off to check the rear brakes. First I did the drivers side. When I turned the hub, it was nice and smooth, but with some resistance, like it was well greased up. The other side turned more easily, but with some clicking noises. There wasn't any noticeable play in the bearing, and I can't really hear anything obvious when I drive it. Am I right? Have I caught a weel bearing in the process of going bad?

Secondly, if it is what I think it is, how long do I have?

Third question: Is this something that I can fix myself? I have the basic tools (sockets, pliers, wrenches, hammers, etc.) but no air tools or specialty tools. On the other hand, I have no problem with buying some specialty tools if their cost is less than it would be to have a mechainc do the work. I don't really trust mechanics, and i'd like to do this myself if I can.

No, i'm serious here! Does anybody know? Surely somebody else out there has experienced this... You guys have never let me down yet...

First of all...if there is a considerable more amount of resistance in one than the other there most likely is a prob...

As for removing the hub...no it'* not that hard..Just did one myself about a week ago..

Go to Autozone...they are about $175 w/ tax...if yours is the same as my '93 that is..

Then get a Slide hammer...this will assist you in "pulling it out"..

There are 4 bolts in the backing plate that fasten the hub into the plate...

Any questions??

You might need torx bit sockets to get the bolts out of the hub / backing plate. I think mine were #50 on my 1997.

My bad...Also..support the backing plate..PRIOR to pulling the hub...Hub w/bolts hold BOTH pieces together....When I pulled mine..the hub and back plate came off as one piece..Then I had to pry plate and hub apart...WHICH leads me to this: Try just using a large screw driver to pry hub out..There are under-cuts on all four corners of the hub flange...After removing torx first of course...Anyway mine was pretty tight..so the Slide Hammer made short work of it...!!

Nothing would get the one on my 89 off. I finally had to take it to a shop. They said they used a jackhammer!

Jack must be Slide'* big brother...lol

Sorry, been working all day, just got home.

There isn't too much resistance on the other side, it just feels well lubed.

A couple of questions. Does the thing have to be replaced as an assembly? That'* what it looks like to me. Secondly, I have drum brakes. How do I work around them, or is that the backing plate of which you speak?

Why would I need the slide hammer? Is the hub held in place by something besides the four bolts? :? And where can I get a slide hammer, how much does one cost, etc.?

thanks for the help thus far.

Yes...the hub is an assembly..it has a round flange w/ your wheel lugs on one side and on the other is a square flange w/ four holes which have torx bolts fastening the hub (and press fitting in) to the backing plate...Between (and inside) these are your bearing...NOT serviceable...MUST be removed as an ASSEMBLY....

So..you have a hub that slides into and thru the backing plate..Then hub and backing plate bolts (the 4 torx) to the rear strut tower...And finally..not mentioned before is a electrical connection that is your wheel sensor connection....

The slide hammer you can get at AutoZone...loaner program...you buy...you fix...you return...you get money back...

Any Questions??

That about covers it. I'll wait a bit before I do it though, because so far I can't hear or feel anything while driving, so I assume that I've got a few more miles in it before it goes really bad. Thanks.