Symptoms
Play when you rock the tire with the truck in the air, a growl that changes with steering, and, as part of the death-wobble checklist, looseness in the front end.
The fix, step by step
- Support the axle and remove the wheel, then the caliper (hang it, don't let it hang from the hose) and rotor.
- Remove the axle-shaft nut, then the bolts holding the unit bearing to the knuckle from behind, and tap the hub free.
- Clean the knuckle bore, anti-seize it, fit the new hub, and torque the bolts and axle nut to the factory spec (Northridge4x4 lists 75 ft-lb for the hub bolts and 100 ft-lb for the 35 mm axle nut).
- Mopar lists different hubs for 2007–10 and 2011–18 trucks, so buy by year.
Tools & part numbers
- Large axle-nut socket
- breaker bar
- torque wrench
- anti-seize
- hammer.
Where to buy the parts
Mopar 52060398AE hub and bearing, 2011–18 JKQuadratec ↗Amazon ↗
Yukon unit bearing, 2007–11 JK (Dana 30 or Dana 44 front)Quadratec ↗Amazon ↗
Hunting a used or discontinued part? Search eBay Motors for Jeep Wrangler JK (2-door) parts →
Rated for a competent home mechanic with a decent tool kit. Confirm torque figures, fluids and procedures against the factory service manual for your VIN, support the truck on stands rather than a jack, and work at your own risk (disclaimer). Some parts links are affiliate links, which pay us a small commission at no cost to you.