I tackled the front Wheel Hub Assembly replacement on a 2001 Montero Limited. Had to take the knuckle completly off to pound out the frozen bearing. Took for a test drive last night and now is sounds like the universal joint is messed up poping and clicking. I didn't pull out the drive shaft that much. Any Ideas that I can try before I unassemble the whole thing to check??

 

you "pounded a bearing" - they don't like that.
and i don't know what uni joint you're thinking of on a front wheel hub?

pics or it didn't happen.

 

sounds like the cv is bad on the drive axle

 

So the CV axle shaft is bad on the passenger side. ugh! I decided to pass that one on to my mechanic as I just have to many things in the fire these days (Montero not far behind). Thanks for the help.

 

Is that the side you worked on? It was probably ready to fall apart anyway. I doubt you did any damage to it while working on it. I have to remove the entire knuckle assembly to replace the hub to. Luckily for me I had access to the press to press the bearing out instead of doing it the hard way with the hammer.

 

Update I'm told that the passenger side wheel hub assembly is bad and is what was making all the noise. Good thing I purchased two of them. Should know today if that was it. I hope that's it because I"m supposed to be towing the boat 4hrs to Table Rock Lake this weekend.

 

Good call ordering two assemblies...
Did you go with OEM parts?
Hope it works out for your get-away...good luck.

 

Sweet looks like weekend birthday boat trip is back on. So got it back last night and all seems back to normal. Turns out it was both front Wheel Hub Assemblies. I can now feel a vibration combing from the rear when I get up to 75 mph. Guess I'll be replacing the rear ones in the future.

I did not go with OEM Hub assemblies and hope they hold up. I'll keep you posted.