steering knuckle / wheel assembly? wheel bearings? Options

[homebuilder]

Hi,

I have bad bearings in the front passenger side. I noticed online a rear wheel assembly for the same price as the bearings along.

Is there an assembly for the front?

I was told something about it being called the knuckle, can you buy that with the bearings already installed so no need for a press?

The mechanic I was talking to said the assembly or whatever holds the bearings was probably bad since the wheel bearings are making noise, and I may as well get and replace the whole thing. Now I know part of if not his whole reason for saying this is apparently it is less labor to just replace the whole knuckle compared to replacing the bearings... But what is yor experience? It only started making scrapping noises today, do you expect the whole knuckle to be bad?

[ILoveMySilly97]

Tools you'll need are pretty basic garage tools. The list below is the tools I use to remove replace my axle so basically you'll need all these tools just to remove the knuckle.

You don't need to compress the springs but just a FYI. The spring tension is going to be there so removing the strut bolts is going to be a battle to remove. Removing the first one is going to be easy but the second one you'll have to stick something through the strut hole and hit the object to push the bolt out. Reason is, is because the tension is going to push down onto the strut bolt. Making the holes not aligned. So you'll have to put some muscle into it. Once the bolt flies out. Just hope that object you used doesn't get stuck in the hole. Most likely it will get stuck. That object will most likely be that flat head too. So it's up to you if you want to compress the springs or not.

I personally recommend since you're going to take off your knuckle anyways. Might as well buy a new bearing from Autozone or NAPA and take the new bearing along with your knuckle to a local tire shop that can press the bearing. So that way you'll know you have a good bearing. Shops can press it in for like 40-60 dollars. The bearing is about 20-50 dollars from Autozone.

Here's a DIY vid for removal of the front passenger CV axle for the USDM GT:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEwSe4xjD4Q

Basically the list of tools you'll need working on the front passenger suspension:
12mm Socket(Loosening the strut gives you play with the strut to remove the two strut bolts)
14mm Socket(Brake Caliper & Tie Rod)
17mm Socket(Brake Pad Bracket & the 3 bottom knuckle bolts)
19mm Socket and wrench(You'll need the wrench to hold onto the strut bolt while you use the socket to spin the strut nut OR vice versa)
30mm Socket(You can loan this from Autozone for like $20. This socket is used for the axle nut)
Ratchet(For the sockets of course...)
Breaker bar OR pipe to attatch to the ratchet(Nuts are going to be hard to break loose)
Needle Nose Pliers(Two cotter pins. One on the axle nut and another on the tie rod nut)
^^^MUST HAVE^^^

Crossbar(Just in case the rims are still there)
WD40(Just in case it's just too rusty)
2lb Hammer(Always handy to have a hammer)
Flathead Screw Driver(Just in case you need to pick or pry)
^^^Recommended^^^

Most of the time at junkyards the car won't be on the ground. They'll sitting on top of rims or jack stands or something.

This post has been edited by ILoveMySilly97: Feb 25, 2013 - 1:30 AM