Keeping your wheels spinning smoothly means keeping your wheel bearings in good shape. Neglecting bearings can have nasty results, especially if you throw a wheel. If you hear any kind of noise coming from the rear axle, then it may be time to change the rear bearings in your Honda Odyssey. Replacing them is a simple process that almost anyone can do with the right tools.
Remove the hub cap from the rear wheel of the van. Pull the axle nut cap off. Use an adjustable wrench to loosen the rear axle nut. Use a tire iron to loosen the nuts holding the wheel on the hub. Slide a jack under the frame of the rear of the van and lift it. Set it down on jack stands under the frame.
Pull the nuts the rest of the way off the hub and remove the rear wheel. Take the spindle nut off the center of the wheel hub. Hang a wire coat hanger from the frame of the van. Unbolt the brake caliper which grips the top of the wheel hub and suspend it from the hanger. Do not allow it to dangle from the brake lines, or the lines might get damaged.
Disconnect the brake rotor from the wheel hub and set it aside. Use a wheel bearing hub puller to remove the wheel bearing assembly from the hub. Clean out the wheel hub.
Slide the new wheel bearing assembly into the wheel hub. Place the brake rotor back on the hub and bolt the caliper back on. Use a torque wrench to torque the caliper bolt to 28 foot-pounds. Torque the new axle nut on the assembly to 181 foot-pounds. Pop the cap back over the axle nut.
Set the wheel back on the bolts and tighten the nuts with a tire iron. Raise the rear of the van and pull the jack stands out. Lower the rear of the van. Torque the nuts to 95 foot-pounds. Put the hub cap back on.
