Hyundai Repair: 1999 Sonata Front Wheel Bearing, front wheel bearing, knuckle assembly


Question
I am in the process of trying to remove/replace front right wheel bearing on my '99 Sonata GLS.  Can I get the hub and knuckle apart without a hydraulic press?  I have about 0 special tools and I'm ready to take the entire steering knuckle assembly in to have the bearing replaced professionally, but heck if I can get the speed sensor (at least that's what I think it is) to disconnect from the knuckle.  HMA says just undo the bolt and the connector and it should come off.  Undid the bolt..what connector?..it's not coming off.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
The wheel speed sensor slides into the hole in the knuckle.  As I'm sure you've observed, it doesn't come back out very easily once the car starts getting old.  You'll probably damage the sensor if you continue to try to take it out of the knuckle.  I usually unplug the electrical connector and leave the sensor on the knuckle.  You'll need to take the wire loose all the way up to the connector.

Once you have the knuckle off, your best bet is to take it and the new bearing to your local machine shop to have the old bearing pressed out and the new bearing pressed in.  You won't be able to get it out without a press.