2012 Nissan Altima Wheel Bearing: The Ultimate Comprehensive Guide

If you're experiencing strange noises or vibrations coming from your Nissan Altima, it's possible that you may need to replace one or more of your wheel bearings. Wheel bearings are an essential part of your car's suspension system, and they play a vital role in ensuring that your wheels rotate smoothly and safely. When wheel bearings go bad, they can cause a number of problems, including:

• Noise: A bad wheel bearing can cause a variety of noises, including grinding, growling, or humming. These noises are often heard when you're driving at low speeds or when you're turning.

• Vibration: A bad wheel bearing can also cause vibration in the steering wheel, seat, or floorboard. This vibration is often felt when you're driving at higher speeds.

• Reduced fuel economy: A bad wheel bearing can cause your car to use more fuel than normal. This is because a bad wheel bearing can increase friction between the wheel and the axle, which can make your car work harder to move.

• Safety concerns: A bad wheel bearing can be a safety hazard. If a wheel bearing fails completely, it can cause your wheel to come loose from the car, which could lead to an accident.

If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important to have your wheel bearings checked by a qualified mechanic as soon as possible. Replacing a wheel bearing is a relatively simple and inexpensive repair, but if it's not done properly, it can lead to more serious problems.

2012 Nissan Altima Wheel Bearing Replacement

Replacing a wheel bearing on a 2012 Nissan Altima is a relatively simple process that can be completed in a few hours. However, it's important to note that this is a safety-critical repair, so it's important to follow the instructions carefully and to use the correct tools and parts.

Step 1: Gather your tools and materials.

You will need the following tools and materials to replace a wheel bearing on a 2012 Nissan Altima:

• Jack
• Jack stands
• Lug wrench
• Socket wrench
• Torque wrench
• New wheel bearing
• New hub assembly (if necessary)
• Grease

Step 2: Safety first.

Before you begin, it's important to take some safety precautions. Park your car on a level surface and engage the parking brake. Chock the wheels that you will not be working on.

Step 3: Remove the wheel.

Use the lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts on the wheel that you will be replacing the wheel bearing on. Once the lug nuts are loose, use the jack to raise the car and place the jack stands under the car for safety. Remove the lug nuts and then remove the wheel.

Step 4: Remove the brake caliper.

The brake caliper is mounted to the hub assembly. It is held in place by two bolts. Use the socket wrench to remove the bolts and then remove the brake caliper.

Step 5: Remove the rotor.

The rotor is mounted to the hub assembly. It is held in place by two bolts. Use the socket wrench to remove the bolts and then remove the rotor.

Step 6: Remove the hub assembly.

The hub assembly is mounted to the steering knuckle. It is held in place by four bolts. Use the socket wrench to remove the bolts and then remove the hub assembly.

Step 7: Press out the old wheel bearing.

The wheel bearing is pressed into the hub assembly. You will need to use a press to remove the old wheel bearing.

Step 8: Press in the new wheel bearing.

Press the new wheel bearing into the hub assembly. Make sure that the bearing is fully seated.

Step 9: Reassemble the hub assembly.

Reassemble the hub assembly in the reverse order that you removed it.

Step 10: Reinstall the brake caliper.

Reinstall the brake caliper on the hub assembly. Torque the bolts to 110 ft-lbs.

Step 11: Reinstall the rotor.

Reinstall the rotor on the hub assembly. Torque the bolts to 80 ft-lbs.

Step 12: Reinstall the wheel.

Reinstall the wheel on the hub assembly. Torque the lug nuts to 95 ft-lbs.

Step 13: Lower the car.

Lower the car to the ground and remove the jack stands.

Step 14: Test drive the car.

Test drive the car to make sure that the wheel bearing replacement was successful.

Other Relevant Information About 2012 Nissan Altima Wheel Bearings

Symptoms That May Indicate your Nissan Altima Wheel Bearing Need to be Replaced:

• Grinding, Growling, or Humming: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), these sounds are common symptoms of worn-out wheel bearings.
• Vibration: When wheel bearings are damaged, they can cause vibrations in the steering wheel, seat, or floorboard.
• Reduced Fuel Economy: Worn-out wheel bearings can increase friction between the wheel and axle, leading to decreased fuel efficiency for your Nissan.

Additional Tips and Tricks

• When replacing a wheel bearing, it is always a good idea to replace the hub assembly as well. This is because the hub assembly is often damaged when the wheel bearing fails.
• If you are not comfortable replacing a wheel bearing yourself, you can have it done by a qualified mechanic. The average cost of replacing a wheel bearing is between $200 and $400.
• Here are some tips for extending the life of your wheel bearings:
• Avoid driving on rough roads.
• Keep your tires properly inflated.
• Have your wheel bearings inspected regularly by a qualified mechanic.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• One of the most common mistakes people make when replacing a wheel bearing is not torquing the lug nuts to the correct specifications. This can lead to the lug nuts coming loose, which could cause the wheel to come off.
• Another common mistake is not using the correct tools. Using the wrong tools can damage the wheel bearing or the hub assembly.
• It is also important to make sure that the new wheel bearing is properly seated in the hub assembly. If the wheel bearing is not properly seated, it could fail prematurely.

Conclusion

Wheel bearings are an important part of your car's suspension system, and they play a vital role in ensuring that your wheels rotate smoothly and safely. If you're experiencing any of the symptoms of a bad wheel bearing, it's important to have your wheel bearings checked by a qualified mechanic as soon as possible. Replacing a wheel bearing is a relatively simple and inexpensive repair, but if it's not done properly, it can lead to more serious problems.

Appendix

Table 1: Symptoms of a Bad Wheel Bearing

Table 2: Causes of a Bad Wheel Bearing

Table 3: Tips for Extending the Life of Your Wheel Bearings