Chrysler Repair: 98 Dodge Stratus Rear Wheel Bearing and Hub Replacement, rear disc brakes, rear drum brakes

Question
Hi Roland,

I have already read a few of your posts that would relate to this problem and my car.  I have a couple q's...

First off - I'm not bad at repair work; I just haven't done lots of it, but I like to attempt what is not too dificult.  One repair shop told me that there is a sensor that is fairly easy to break when replacing this unit and it is expensive.  Is that really true or do you think i could handle this job?

Second,  in some of your posts you mention tightening the bolts to a certain ft. pound pressure figure.  How can I do that?  I have basic tools but i do have sockets and such and some places will loan you special tools if you buy the part, but i don't know about how to get to a specific tightness...  Thanks for all your help.

Answer
Hi Dan,
I think the shop that wasrned you about the "sensor" was trying to spook you from doing it yourself. If the car has ABS and rear drum brakes there should be no risk to the sensor by your removing and replacing the hub because the sensor is in the brake backing plate and doesn't need to be removed or touched in anyway. If you have rear disc brakes let me know and I'll check that question out and let you know. So all you need to do is remove the rear wheel, the grease cap, and the large nut (it may have a cotter pin to remove) and then the hub should come off (at worst you might need a simple hub puller if it doesn't slide off, which you can buy or rent).
The torque question is typically handled with a torque wrench that you can buy for about $20 if you get the simple kind with a scale and a bendable shaft, 1/2-inch drive, 200 foot-pound max. or so. Another way, when the spec is to tighten the nut to 185 foot pounds as it is for this nut, is you can apply your socket and ratchet or breaker bar and then if you weigh about 185 pounds you simply stand on the bar putting all you weight on one foot placing it on the bar so that it is centered at one foot from the axis of rotation. Voila, you have a nut torqued to 185 foot-pounds without having to buy a torque wrench. If you weigh significantly different than 185, then just stand closer or further than one foot from the center of rotation so that the product of your weight and the distance in feet equals 185.
Let me know if you have anyother questions.
Roland