Parts for your 1998 Nissan Pulsar-Wheel bearings

1998 Nissan Pulsar wheel bearings — what they do and when to replace

According to the Nissan Pulsar N15 Series Factory Service Manual (1995–2000) and the Nissan FAST parts catalogue, the 1998 Pulsar is fitted with wheel bearings on every corner. The front end uses a sealed, double‑row ball bearing pressed into the steering knuckle, while the rear runs either serviceable tapered roller bearings inside the drum hub (common on non‑SSS models) or a sealed hub/bearing unit on rear disc‑brake variants. Haynes’ Pulsar/Almera N14 & N15 workshop guide backs this up with procedures for inspection, adjustment (rear drums), and replacement.

On a ’98 Pulsar, wheel bearings let the wheels spin smoothly with minimal friction, keeping the tyres tracking true and protecting the hubs, CVs and brake components. When they wear, you’ll usually hear a humming or growl that rises with road speed, feel vibration through the seat or steering, or notice uneven tyre wear. Badly worn bearings can heat up, affect braking and ABS performance, and in extreme cases damage the hub or stub axle.

Front bearings are sealed-for-life and replaced as a unit, there’s no repacking. Replacement is a press job: the knuckle comes off, the old bearing and circlip are pressed out, and a new bearing is pressed in square with the correct driver. Always fit a new hub nut and torque it to the factory spec. Mark the strut-to-knuckle bolts before removal to help preserve alignment, and check camber/toe afterwards if you’ve disturbed the strut bolts.

Rear drum models use tapered rollers that are serviceable. During a brake service, it’s worth cleaning and repacking them with quality high-temp wheel bearing grease, replacing the grease seal, and setting end float to spec with the lock nut. If there’s pitting, blueing, roughness or play, replace the bearing and race as a matched set. Rear disc models typically have a sealed hub/bearing assembly, replace the whole unit if noisy or loose.

• Tell‑tale signs: speed‑dependent hum, droning on bends, warmth at the hub after a drive, ABS light on some models.
• Checks: jack up safely, hold the tyre at 12 and 6 o’clock and feel for play, spin and listen for roughness.
• Intervals: sealed fronts are “run to condition”, rear drums benefit from repack at major brake services or every few years/40–60,000 km.

Popular questions about 1998 Nissan Pulsar wheel bearings

How can they tell which wheel bearing is noisy?

Road test at 60–80 km/h on a smooth surface. A droning that gets louder when loading one side (gentle lane change) often points to the opposite side’s bearing. On the hoist, spin each wheel by hand and listen, roughness or gravelly feel is a giveaway. A mechanic’s stethoscope on the knuckle or trailing arm helps confirm the culprit.

Do they need a wheel alignment after front bearing replacement?

Not always, but it’s smart. If the strut-to-knuckle bolts are loosened, camber can shift slightly. Marking the bolts helps, yet a post‑repair alignment is cheap insurance for tyre life and straight tracking.

Should both sides be replaced at once?

It’s not mandatory. Replace the noisy or loose side first. If the car has high kilometres or both sides show similar wear, doing them together can save return labour and keep noise levels even left to right.