Symptoms
A growl or vibration from one front corner. One owner's bearing failed at 64,000 miles.
The fix, step by step
- Pull the dust cap and break the axle nut with a 35 mm socket and a long bar.
- Remove the caliper and rotor, then the four 17 mm bolts that hold the hub to the knuckle.
- Once they're cracked loose, switch to an open-end wrench, because the bolts can't back fully out with the hub in place.
- Knock the hub free and keep or replace the large O-ring behind it.
- A complete hub-and-bearing assembly bolts straight in, which saves you pressing a bearing without a 20-ton press.
Tools & part numbers
- 35 mm socket
- breaker bar
- 17 mm open-end wrench
- big hammer
- torque wrench
- new axle nut.
Where to buy the parts
Front wheel hub and bearing assembly, OEM (Prado/GX/FJ/4Runner)CruiserTeq ↗Amazon ↗
Wheel bearing & hub assembliesRockAuto ↗Amazon ↗
Hunting a used or discontinued part? Search eBay Motors for Toyota FJ Cruiser 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.