The hubs used in your Pontiac Grand Prix are part of a sealed hub and bearing assembly that is replaced as a complete unit. This "bolt-in" type of assembly greatly simplifies replacement of the wheel bearings or hub by eliminating the need for an expensive bearing press to separate the hub from the bearing. This repair will take the experienced home mechanic about an hour to replace the assembly, using only basic hand tools.
Secure the wheel diagonal to the wheel with the faulty hub assembly with wheel chocks. Raise and support the wheel that has the faulty hub assembly using a floor jack and jack stand positioned under the front sub-frame of the Grand Prix. Remove the wheel using a lug wrench.
Slide the brake drum from the drum brake assembly, or remove the brake caliper and brake rotor from the disc brake assembly, depending on which hub you are replacing. The drums on the rear brakes simply slide off with the wheel removed. The calipers on front disc brakes are attached to the spindle with T-55 size torx bolts and are removed using a torx socket and ratchet. Lift the caliper over the rotor and slide the rotor off the hub.
Remove the cotter pin and axle nut if the hub being replaced is on the front of the Pontiac. Disconnect the ABS sensor by lifting the locking tab as you slide the connector from the sensor on the back of the hub assembly.
Remove the three T-45 size torx bolts that secure the hub to the spindle by inserting a torx socket and extension through the large hole in the hub to engage the bolt. Slide the hub assembly out of the spindle. Install the new hub into the spindle and tighten the hub bolts to 55 ft.-lbs. using a torque wrench.
Install the axle nut, if equipped, and tighten the nut to 151 ft.-lbs. using a torque wrench. Slide the brake rotor or brake drum over the hub and reinstall the caliper if required. Reinstall the wheel. Remove the jack stand, wheel chocks and floor jack. Test-drive the Pontiac to verify the repair solved the problem.
