The GMC K1500 Sierra truck is built by General Motors. K1500 trucks come equipped with wheel hub assemblies on both front wheels. The hubs are the main components that the brake calipers, brake pads and the brake rotors connect to. The wheel hub assembly also comes equipped with a roller bearing that allows the front wheels to turn, and an ABS braking sensor. The hub makes it possible for the wheels to turn while allowing the braking components to perform their required function. If the bearing inside of a hub locks up, replace the wheel hub immediately.
Park the GMC K1500 model truck in a safe work area and apply the parking brake.
Loosen the lug nuts from both front wheels about one-quarter of a turn counter-clockwise with a tire tool.
Jack the front of the GMC K1500 truck up and place the jack stands under the designated jacking points on both sides of the truck. Lower the truck onto the jack stands and leave the jack in place.
Remove all of the lug nuts from the front wheels. Pull the front wheels off the hubs and place them flat down on the surface. Move to the front driver side wheel hub.
Loosen and remove the two caliper mounting bolts on the back side of the brake caliper with a ratchet and a socket. Slide a flat head screwdriver between the brake rotor and the outer brake pad. Pry the brake pad back and forth until the caliper is loose enough to remove from the rotor. Pull the caliper off the rotor with your hands and hang the caliper to one of the suspension components behind the wheel hub assembly with a bungee cord.
Pull the brake rotor straight off the hub with your hands. If the rotor is stuck, use a rubber mallet to tap the rotor off the wheel hub. Place the rotor to the side. Move to the steering knuckle behind the wheel hub assembly and remove the bolts from the clamp that holds the ABS wiring harness in place, with a ratchet and a socket. The speed sensor harness plugs into the back of the hub and to the plug that is mounted near the steering knuckle. Unplug the speed sensor from the wiring harness and drape the harness over the wheel hub. Loosen and remove the wheel hub mounting bolts from the back side of the wheel hub with a ratchet and a socket. The wheel hub is mounted to the spindle backing plate.
Pull the wheel hub straight out off the spindle with your hands. Tap the wheel hub, if needed, with the rubber mallet. Place the old wheel hub assembly to the side and position the new wheel hub onto the spindle and against the spindle backing plate. Reverse the same steps above to reconnect the wheel hub and all of the braking components. Be sure to torque the wheel hub mounting bolts to 100 foot-pounds and the caliper mounting bolts to 25 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and a socket.
Move to the passenger side front wheel hub and repeat the process to replace the wheel hub assembly. Slide both front wheels onto the hubs and screw the lug nuts on tightly. Jack the front of the GMC K1500 truck up and remove the jack stands. Lower the truck to the ground and remove the jack. Finish tightening all of the lug nuts on the front wheels down tightly with the tire tool.
