How to replace a Hub Assembly on a Nissan Xterra / Frontier / Pathfinder 4x4

My Xterra was making some weird sounds coming from the passenger side. I ignored it for a while and then realized it was probably a bad bearing. I jacked up the truck and sure enough, the wheel was wobbly. The Nissans make an otherwise messy job super simple. Instead of making you service the bearings, all you gotta do is swap out the hub assembly. This is good and bad, I guess. Hub assemblies are more expensive. But they are simpler to swap out. I'll take the hub assembly any day.
This should work for 2005+ Xterra, 2004+ Frontier, 2005-2012 Pathfinder 4x4
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PROJECT PARTS AND TOOLS
MOOG 515065 Wheel Bearing and Hub Assembly
amzn.to/3aOP2cq
Milwaukee 1/2 High Torque Impact Wrench
amzn.to/3id4Rxc
32mm Axle Nut Socket
amzn.to/3kjiVVo
1/2" Drive Impact Deep Sockets
amzn.to/3pZOaY3
Impact Adapter Set
amzn.to/3pUrzfk
Torque Wrench
amzn.to/3kVgDdK
Long Ratchet
amzn.to/39fzT3k
3/8 Sockets
amzn.to/37LoRkW
Wobble Extensions
amzn.to/3nQPv1k
Magnetic Pickup Tool
amzn.to/35XCmgSamzn.t...
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CONNECT WITH ME
Instagram: @rayregno @rayregnogarage
For Business Inquiries ONLY: [e-mail]
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FTC LEGAL DISCLAIMER
Some links found in the description box of my videos may be affiliate links. This means that when you purchase products or services using these links, I will make a commission on these sales. This is free for you and is one way to support the channel so that I can keep buying more parts and tools and make more videos! Thanks in advance for your support!
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LIABILITY DISCLAIMER
Please use the information in this video at your own risk. Neither Ray Regno nor Stronghold Garage will be held responsible for any damages, injury, or loss that could arise from using any information in this video.
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#nissanxterra #hubassembly #wheelbearings

[@ryanalexandermoore]

Super informative. I also really like the edit... meaning, a lot of people don’t know how to edit a video for a person who will be actually doing the job later on. But this captures all the important info without being slow. Really well done, easy to follow and all the right info, thx!!

[@rayregnogarage]

Thanks, Ryan!

[@domen808]

Best video I've seen on this . Doing this job on my frontier after spending more then an hr dealing with a stripped lug nut 🤦‍♂️ Thanks bro

[@rayregnogarage]

Ooof that sucks! good luck!

[@1969FCS]

Thank you, you do a really great job, no wasted time or words. This really helps.

[@rayregnogarage]

Thanks!

[@chaninski]

Thank you! for the video. I just finished replacing the front hub for my Xterra and your video gave me the knowledge to proceed with doing it on my own. Saved a few bucks, so I will be able to modify my Xterra and I need new tires this year.

[@rayregnogarage]

Awesome! Glad you found it helpful!!!

[@rupertnewton]

You're good at this, keep doing it. Thank you.

[@rayregnogarage]

Thank you!

[@cb550rider]

Awesome video. Thanks for the torque specs. Make more frontier vids

[@Lefty_Burns]

Great video, thank you for including the torque specs. Love the dubbed out music too.

[@rayregnogarage]

Thanks! I always try to remember to include the torque. I know I find it helpful when I watch other people. lol.

[@mikemorgan4670]

Very helpful video. My Frontier is now in of this service.

[@rayregnogarage]

Awesome! Glad you found it helpful!

[@twinbee4243]

Mike Morgan what year and model is your Frontier??

[@ITSTHISEASY]

Great video, two extra tips. If the front is off the ground (both) tires, you can just rotate without going in the truck Turing the wheel every time. Second, you can use a crow bar between the lugs to stop the rotation and tighten the axle nut 😊. Great video just did mine yesterday. Now found out I still need wheel bearings. FML 🤣

[@rayregnogarage]

Ya I’m super lazy, I only did the passenger side. lol. Driver is still okay. You did yours but still need wheel bearings? Aren’t they in the hub assembly?

[@forevercleandetail]

I purchased a 2007 ecstair a month ago camshaft position sensors replaced them both they were bad then the fuel pump went out replace that then the roaring sound that you was just mentioning instead of replacing one I replace both hubs on both sides runs great so your video I love it you did a great job on it

[@rayregnogarage]

Thanks!!

[@forevercleandetail]

@@rayregnogarage you welcome

[@1scottdees]

You can remove the caliper mount and the caliper as a single unit.

[@johncichecki2831]

Thank you for the best video...easier than I thought...thought I would have to take the entire steering assembly out...thanks for not playing loud raunchy music like most of the videos...I press delete once I hear that...your video did not have any extra useless stuff...thanks...john

[@rayregnogarage]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@ponyboy5010]

Just what I needed. Thank you.

[@rayregnogarage]

Awesome! Glad you found it helpful!

[@dianemarshburn8871]

Thank you for this video. Hopefully replacing mine will be as simple as you made it appear to be 👍

[@rayregnogarage]

Glad you found it helful!

[@mramick]

Great video. Thanks for the clear explanation!!

[@rayregnogarage]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@Gabe-kv2zs]

Great tips and well edited video! Did the job on mine this summer. One thing to note is the wheel bearing assembly can sometimes be very rusted (especially in northern states), requiring quite a few more sledge hammer blows 😅 and potentially some heat. Took me probably 20 mins to break mine loose with the sledge. ...Also, worst part of the job for me was the damned abs connector...yours seemed to pull apart like butter. Either I didn't press it in the right place or the plastic was semi-melded together after 16 years. Anyway, it wasn't a terrible job. Thanks again.

[@rayregnogarage]

Thanks. My PNW cars need more convincing, too. The Xterra was a southern cal vehicle for a long time.

[@davidforget2691]

Nice video thanks bro 🤙🏼

[@MrRocket1977]

Great video, love the chill music

[@rayregnogarage]

Thanks!

[@jarkolimbo9268]

thanks man! great demonstration.

[@rayregnogarage]

Awesome! Glad you found it helpful!

[@J.P.101]

Thanks for this video, and here's a thumbs up.

[@rayregnogarage]

Thanks!!!

[@corypaul2203]

Awsome video i learned alot off of it thanks man

[@rayregnogarage]

Awesome!! Glad you found it helpful!!!

[@snohoguerilla]

Thanks for the including the torque values, that's exactly what I was after!...I'll throw out the a tip I recently picked up. You can stick a screw driver down through the slots in the center of the rotor and rest it against the caliper to keep it from turning while you torque/loosen the axle nut and those spacers if you're flying solo

[@rayregnogarage]

Thanks for the tip! The axle nut was fine by myself... but good to know for the wheel spacers! I want to ditch those things anyway. Next up for this truck is new wheels. They're long overdue.

[@MrNategates]

I doubt the torque spec stated for the hub bolts is correct (think I saw in another video the correct specs, can’t remember the exact # but was over 100 ).. brake calliper bolts 130+ Ft/lbs but only 40 for the hub ?? Just doesn’t make sense. Otherwise, nice run through on the whole procedure !

[@mrdarklight]

Great instructions. A real help.

[@rayregnogarage]

Awesome!!! glad you found it helpful!

[@mrdarklight]

@@rayregnogarage I had one bearing replaced by a mechanic, about a year ago, for $500. Now the other one is going south, I can hear it, and decided to see how hard it was. Doesn't seem to require any special tools, and this will save me about $300.

[@rayregnogarage]

@@mrdarklight Ya. The only part that might be tricky is getting the old hub off. Depending on where you live, it might be rusted on there pretty good. A slide hammer is nice to have. I live in CA and it was easy to knock it off. Just something to consider.

[@mrdarklight]

@@rayregnogarage I'll get a slide hammer if I have to. Otherwise I'll just give her a few whacks on the back with my Tonya Harding.

[@jerg7942]

I was thinking of getting a Milwaukee impact driver, which one were you using ?

[@rayregnogarage]

Here's the link on Amazon: amzn.to/3id4Rxc Not sure if you saw it, but I put links to all the parts and tools I use in the videos in my video description... except I forgot that one this time. lol.

[@moroukian]

Thanks for making this video. Clean and simple. A few quick questions - The blue grease that you added to the axle, did that come with the hub, or is it just a regular grease? Also, removing and reinstalling the brake pads, pretty straight forward? Finally, hub brand recommendations? Then, a final final, if the front need replacing, should one just plan on doing the rear too? as they have the same number of miles on them (98,000 miles in 4 1/2 years) You rock :) Steve

[@rayregnogarage]

It's just some grease I had laying around in the garage. Haha. Can't remember what brand There's a full list of parts and tools in the description of the video if you wanna check there. But you'l definitely need at least these two items: MOOG 515065 Wheel Bearing and Hub Assembly amzn.to/3aOP2cq 32mm Axle Nut Socket amzn.to/3kjiVVo

[@johndonohue7746]

Thanks for the great video. I have an 02 Pathfinder and while I haven't checked for wobble I notuce there is sort of grinding or vibration around 50 mph and them probably 65 mph. I assume this is also the wheel bearings causing this but I'm not sure. The car has 172k miles on it and are the original bearings I believe. Thoughts?

[@rayregnogarage]

Ya it’s possible. I only did the passenger side on my truck. the Driver is still good. haha. i have the part on standby tho. At this point everything is fair game to be close to needing replacing. I just did the coils and plugs and it drives so much better now. Mike has 145k

[@jpadilla0515]

Where did you get those rock sliders from? Great video too

[@rayregnogarage]

Max Gear Armor

[@DadPool_Hyde]

.... I just did the lower ball joint on my '10, a much easier way than having another person for holding the brakes is leave the opposite side tire on the ground.... as a side thought, any chance you have video of the ABS Sensor connector itself and how to separate it? (mine doesn't want to come loose and I don't want to destroy the wires on the vehicle side....)

[@rayregnogarage]

Thanks for the tip!! It’s funny but I don’t. I fought with it for a few min and finally got it disconnected but off camera. I probably used a plastic trim removal tool or something to press down and release something. I HATE the connectors on this truck. Did you look at the new connector? I don’t remember if I did this, but sometimes looking at the separated connector can give you hints on where to press or lift to release

[@hawkirod]

I'm looking at replacing all 4 hubs on my 2012 Frontier Pro4x. The only videos I can find are for the front wheels and I'm wondering if there are different parts and processes for replacing the two hubs on the rear tires or are all 4 wheels hubs the same? It's a Pro4X 4 wheel drive.

[@rayregnogarage]

I haven't done the rears yet so I'm not sure. Do all four need it? I bought hubs for both fronts, but only did the one so far. haha. other side is still good.

[@stephenmartinez7891]

I am about to do this on my xterra. I am so glad I found your video! Question: how are the bearings now? Do you recommend using the brand you bought?

[@rayregnogarage]

So far so good

[@Morningstar_Actual]

Hey man did you trim your coil buckets? I get pretty shitty down travel cause of the stock uca hitting the lip on the coil bucket and I’m wondering the best/easiest way to go about grinding them down without fucking anything up

[@rayregnogarage]

I haven’t. But that definitely seems to be the limiting factor on our trucks even with long travel. I’m waiting til after I titan swap it to cross that bridge.

[@Cheeselog]

Will it be much different to replace the rear wheel hub assembly? My rear passenger side is needing replacing.

[@rayregnogarage]

Not sure. Haven’t done the rear but the part looks similar.

[@bronxzauce]

Keep it up

[@rayregnogarage]

Thanks!

[@ericks141]

It was a good video

[@rayregnogarage]

Thanks!

[@1966cambo]

You did a good job on this video! I wee bit of advice you might find helpful is to use an impact extension when using your Milwaukee, the chrome ones actually flex and you lose power I also use Super Clean but I buy the concentrate and mix with water, great stuff!

[@jkutyna]

The torque settings were VERY helpful, but the only thing I found missing was that you didn't specify what size socket is necessary for the Fronty/Xterra's axle nut. Other than that excellent and thank god we don't have to deal with bearing pullers and such.

[@rayregnogarage]

I put an Amazon link to the part in the description of the video. :) amzn.to/3kjiVVo

[@sminthian]

If the axle nut was spinning when you put it on, how'd you take it off?

[@rayregnogarage]

I have not tried this myself, but someone commented two days ago with this tip: "I'll throw out the a tip I recently picked up. You can stick a screw driver down through the slots in the center of the rotor and rest it against the caliper to keep it from turning while you torque/loosen the axle nut and those spacers if you're flying solo" Not sure how well it works... but maybe something you can try? Try at your own risk, though!

[@fleadoggreen9062]

Yea put on a few wheel bearings and didn’t torque that axle just ram jammed it on with my 1/2 impact, a few burnt up in a few months, I tightened them too tight. Didn’t consider the torque for a front end part but yea after all it’s a bearing

[@rayregnogarage]

That would be an expensive mistake with these non-serviceable wheel hubs.

[@peterbiskind5346]

what size is axel nut? Thanks

[@rayregnogarage]

I put links to all the parts and tools in the description of the video. It's a 32mm amzn.to/3kjiVVo

[@davidjohanson9997]

What is the axle nut size is?

[@rayregnogarage]

I put a link to it in the video description

[@orphand12]

Are those coilover? I see ??

[@rayregnogarage]

Yes. Radflow

[@satanic6stringbender]

How similar is this to a 2001 xterra?

[@rayregnogarage]

Not sure but they are very different trucks

[@midnightraiin4035]

what year truck is that ?

[@rayregnogarage]

2008

[@midnightraiin4035]

@@rayregnogarage thanks , I wish mine were a2008 I got a 2000 Xterra it's a pain in the ass

[@joechayer4665]

Can anyone direct me to where I can find new hub mounting bolts?? Or even tell me their size/thread lol. Aparently I'm missing one

[@rayregnogarage]

Whoa. glad you found that before the whole thing fell off. I tried to find it online but couldn't find a hub assembly bolt for our trucks. I found it for the first gen. But for parts like that, I usually just call the dealer. I don't like going to the dealer, generally, but for odd bolts I just find it less stressful talking to the parts department. Just tell them where the bolt goes, and they have an app that helps them pinpoint which bolt you need. Even if it's more expensive than buying online, you're more likely to get the right part the first time.

[@CotyBlair]

I need to know the stud size mine broke and i keep ordering the wrong size im a girl help me

[@rayregnogarage]

i have no idea. but i just googled it. M12 1.25? i’d hit up Z1 motorsports and ask

[@twinbee4243]

It's easy! Everything is 5th Grade! Even a 6th grader boy can do it especially when he likes to assemble stuffs I've seen that on my 6th grader nephew he can replace brake pads, shock absorbers, spark plugs, fan belt like an expert mechanic. Everything is easy for old generation of Xterra/Frontiers and Pathfinder models. But now the Nissan Updated their Frontier there's a new generation of Nissan Frontier out there we do not know how hard is it gonna be, did they change the design of the parts? Next time you'll need to replace a simple and single part that causes the problem you're gonna have to replace the entire Differential Assembly only for that specific part! That's why I got so 😡 angry, mad and disappointed when Nissan released a new generation of Frontier when I asked Nissan to have a look at the repair manual of their new Frontier you'll be surprised that it is much harder and complicated than it was before! That's why the more they update a model the more complicated on repair they become.

[@jackbnmbl7]

I stopped at 40 seconds. My Frontier bearings are all separate from hub and servicable. And where's your autolocking hub???

[@rayregnogarage]

Sounds like you have a first gen (pre 2005)

[@heatseeka14]

hub spacers.. bad wheel bearings. naw, it's just a coincidence

[@rayregnogarage]

Hub Spacer and negative backspace haters are fun. More like 130k miles on the bearings that came from the factory. Considering the offroad miles and abuse this truck has seen that's pretty dang good considering the average hub assembly lasts 85-100k miles.