Star Pattern bolt on Wheel Bearing

[Caddynut]

OK...maybe this just isn't my day, but I had a heck of a time getting the caliper bolts off and I finally got them off. I didn't realize that the bolts holding the wheel bearing on were a star pattern. I went and bought the extended length star sockets T-40, T-45, T-50, T-55. None of them seem to fit tightly enough. Is there a special size?? Another question....everytime I try to get these type of bolts off, they strip. Is there any special trick other than soaking them for a week with PB Blaster?? HELP PLEASE.

[BodybyFisher]

OK...maybe this just isn't my day, but I had a heck of a time getting the caliper bolts off and I finally got them off. I didn't realize that the bolts holding the wheel bearing on were a star pattern. I went and bought the extended length star sockets T-40, T-45, T-50, T-55. None of them seem to fit tightly enough. Is there a special size?? Another question....everytime I try to get these type of bolts off, they strip. Is there any special trick other than soaking them for a week with PB Blaster?? HELP PLEASE.

My memory tells me that this is either a T50 or T55. Explain Strip? Make sure you are in all the way, there is a rubber boot that tends to hold you off if I recall. I will look in the manual to see if there is anything

[Caddynut]

I had a T-50 and it was too big, but the T-45 was a little too small. The T-45 grabbed, but it was loose in fit. I usually either round off my star tool or the head of the bolt. I have NEVER had any luck getting those things out. Last time, I ended up welding the star bit on the head and ruining my tool in order to get the bolt out. I REALLY don't want to do that since I have 3 of those suckers to get out.

[Caddynut]

Sorry, this was for my '92 Seville.....forgot to mention that.

[BodybyFisher]

Sorry, this was for my '92 Seville.....forgot to mention that.

Sorry I misunderstood your problem. Are you talking about the three bolts holding the hub bearing on?

[MAC]

I just did a bearing replacement yesterday and the size was T55.

[Caddynut]

sorry, I was talking about the 3 bolts holding the bearing on. I am going to take another look tonight. Maybe there just a little too much corrosion to get the T-55 in there, but it seemed to big. Thanks for the responses.

[joeb]

why are you changing the bearing? is it loose? do you have a ABS code or something else? i have a slight bit of slop in 1 of my wheels. i have heard that any play means you should change it. the other wheel is nice and tight. no noticeable play at all.

[Caddynut]

I have had an ABS light for about 3 years now and was told it was the drivers side front bearing. I had been waiting for it to get bad. Last week it started to growl driving down the road. When I checked it...it had a lot of slop and I knew it was real bad.....now it is just trying to get those darn star pattern bolts off since none of the sizes seem to fit.

[MAC]

why are you changing the bearing? is it loose? do you have a ABS code or something else? i have a slight bit of slop in 1 of my wheels. i have heard that any play means you should change it. the other wheel is nice and tight. no noticeable play at all.

Well, I can only tell you what size fit my '94 Eldorado. However, I suggest you spray some Liquid Wrench or whatever you're using into the torx bolt and make sure it's clean and the bit is fully seated before trying to remove the torx bolts.

Also, be aware that once the three bolts are removed you may have a difficult time removing the bearing if it's rusted in place. If this happens I suggest two things: 1) Buy a large bolt or chisel and tap the hub out from the back. You will have to move the shaft out of the way but you will have enough room. Work the bearing from at least two sides and eventually you'll get it out. Use plenty of Liquid Wrench or whatever lubricant you're using; or 2) Use a large carriage bolt (about 1/2-inch) and washer and insert into the large bearing hole, then place the washer on the backside of the hub, screw the nut on and align the bolt so it rests on some metal. Then screw the bolt clockwise (as in tightening). This will allow you to put a lot of back-pressure on the bearing to pull it out.

[Caddynut]

thanks for the tips. I have yet to get back to working on the car. I have to spray it down with PB blaster again tonight and probably will be doing that for the next 4 days until I have time to work on it. I am going to take a good look again at the torx wrenches again and make sure it doesn't fit. I will let you know the outcome.

[migot]

I seem to remember an oddball T-47 on my Harley. Check to see if it is between a T-45 and a T-50.

[BodybyFisher]

Here are a couple of photos that might be helpful. By the way the big axle nut is no picnic either, if I recall, I used a pipe on my breaker bar (and also broke a Craftman ratchet handle with it). This is from a 96

[jking220]

By the way the big axle nut is no picnic either, if I recall, I used a pipe on my breaker bar (and also broke a Craftman ratchet handle with it).

LOL... Been there, Done that. That was not a fun day.

I will buy an electric impact from walmart next time and return it when I'm done.

Good luck with the repair, I have found the torx bits that are like a socket with a separate torx part (non removable) are least likely to break. The one piece molded bits are crap, and will twist and break for sure.

[rmac-etc]

From an older post ... what I used to remove the hub bearing on my 95 eldorado, don't know how close it applies to your application:

The tools-

t-55 torx for the 2 brake caliper bolts ( my first try worked with a 3/8 allen wrench but that was DUMB luck).. However, others have said that they had 3/8 allen bolts through '97 and that perhaps mine had been replaced.

33MM hub socket (pep boys has them for 'bout 10 bucks). Regular sockets are not deep enough (a 34 mm works too if that all they have).

t-55 torx for the 3 bolts holding the thing together (shown clearly in BBF's picture). You will want at least 1/2 in drive and something for leverage, mine were VERY tight, i used a 4 ft pipe! ... I think this is where you expressed some difficulty.... make sure that you have cleaned out the head of the bolt ... scrape it, prod it, spray it whatever it takes to make the torx tool fit correctly and snugly. You will not be able to apply adequate torque to loosen it otherwise.

With those bolts removed, the hub is 'detached', but will not just fall into your hands. I rented a wheel hub puller (the first place gave me the wrong type of puller, and it was inadequate) and even with the correct tool it was very tight. This type of puller bolts to the wheel lug nuts and the center as you would expect, screws against the axle, anything less would not have worked. One person replied that he used a generic puller and a 'blue tipped wrench' (fortunately, he explained that was propane torch - first I had heard of that term!). So there seems to be some range of difficulty with the final release of the hub, but thats it. The axle will try to escape outbound, but that not too difficult to deal with. And a seal will likely remain behind that you will need to pull or tap out (I tapped it with a hammer and punch and its a bit awkward).

Putting it back together is quick and easy. I understand that the hub nut should be torqued to 100 ft lbs.

(recently did this job in 50 minutes)

best of luck!

[rmac-etc]

oh, and regarding the walmart impact wrench ... i bought an electric impact wrench with sockets from Lowe's for not much more that $100. And I will never take that sucker back!

[Caddynut]

UPDATE....curiosity got the best of me last night. I cleaned up the torx bolts and a T-55 fit snug and after soaking them for a few days, the came right out and I got the bearing out. Mac was right, now I have to move the shaft over and pound out the sleeve that came off of the bearing. MUCH easier than that darn bearing I put in my Mitsubishi Eclipse last year. It took a month and I had to remove the complete steering knuckle, ball joints and half shaft. The bearing was weather welded on the shaft, so I had to replace the complete assembly. The Caddy shines through!!!!

[BodybyFisher]

Glad you got it done