Chrysler Repair: Rear Wheel Bearings, rear wheel bearings, wheel nuts

Question
Roland:

How do I change the rear wheel bearings on a 1998 Chrysler Cirrus?
Appreciate if you can advise.
Andy  

Answer
Hi Andy,
My '96 shop manaual and the Haynes for '95-2000 agree that the bearings are intergral with the hub as an assembly that appears to be sold as a unit and by implication there is no way to replace the bearings separately. It makes the job easy, but the part costs more of course. After removing the tire/wheel and rear brake drum (with the rear supported on a jack stand for safety) you simply remove the nut on the spindle that holds the hub in place and the whole hub and bearing assembly will come off the spindle by pulling it out laterally. Install the new hub/bearing assembly, use a NEW retaining nut and tighten it to 185 fot pounds, replace the drum, put on the wheel/tire, tighten the wheel nuts to 95 foot pounds and you are done.
I hope the part will not be too expensive but unless there is a way to replace the bearings separately (if it is sold, which a machine shop might be able to do?), you may just have to pay for part and hope it lasts for the rest of the life of the car. It is supposed to be such a part because there is no requirement for greasing it, etc. Shop around for the best price. Let me know if you come up with anyother approach, please.
Roland