Parts for your 2011 Toyota Blade-Wheel hubs

2011 Toyota Blade wheel hubs — purpose, care, and when to replace

Wheel hubs are absolutely relevant and used on the 2011 Toyota Blade. Toyota’s Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC) for the E150-platform Blade (model codes AZE156H/GRE156H, 2011 MY) lists both front “axle hub (sub-assy)” and rear “rear axle hub & bearing assy.” Toyota’s Repair Manual for the same platform (TIS service sections covering Front Axle/Hub and Rear Axle Hub) details inspection and replacement of these assemblies, including ABS encoder considerations. So yes—this vehicle is fitted with wheel hubs front and rear.

On the Blade, the wheel hub is the bit that the wheel bolts onto, keeping the brake rotor centred and the wheel spinning true around a sealed bearing. Up front, the hub works with a press‑in bearing inside the steering knuckle to handle cornering and braking loads. Down the back, the Blade typically uses a bolt-on hub and bearing unit with an integrated ABS encoder, simplifying replacement. Together, they keep things smooth, quiet, and predictable—exactly what’s wanted for daily driving round town or open-road kilometres.

These are sealed bearings, so there’s no greasing at service time. Instead, routine servicing is about checks and good habits:

• Listen for a low growl or humming that rises with speed, changing slightly when steering left or right.
• Feel for play by rocking each wheel at 12 and 6 o’clock, any knock or looseness needs attention.
• Watch for ABS or VSC warning lights—often a clue to a failing encoder ring or built-in sensor interface.
• Inspect for uneven rotor contact or heat marks after a drive, which can point to bearing runout.

When replacement’s due, the rear hub assembly is normally a straightforward bolt-off/bolt-on job. The front is more involved: the bearing is pressed into the knuckle and the hub is transferred, so a shop with a press—or a quality replacement knuckle/bearing/hub assembly—saves time and avoids damage. Always follow Toyota torque specs for axle nuts and wheel nuts, and recheck wheel-nut torque after a short run. Quality parts matter, cheap hubs can be noisy or upset ABS behaviour. It’s fine to replace a single noisy side, but the other side should be inspected closely at the same visit.

To help hubs last, avoid hard kerb strikes, keep wheel alignment in spec, and torque wheel nuts evenly. During regular services, a quick road test plus a wheel-off inspection goes a long way to catching issues early.

Popular questions about 2011 Toyota Blade wheel hubs

Does the 2011 Toyota Blade use separate front bearings or a complete hub unit?
Toyota’s service literature for the E150 Blade shows a front hub paired with a press-in bearing in the steering knuckle. Workshops typically press the old bearing out and the new one in, reusing the hub if it’s undamaged—or fitting a quality hub if wear or pitting is present.

Can a rear hub bearing be replaced by itself on a Blade?
On most 2011 Blade variants, the rear is a sealed hub-and-bearing assembly. It’s replaced as a complete unit, which restores bearing preload and ABS encoder integrity in one go. That’s quicker and more reliable than trying to service an internal bearing.

Should both hubs be changed at the same time?
It’s not mandatory to do both sides, but if one hub has failed due to age or kilometres, the opposite side may not be far behind. Many owners choose to replace the noisy side now and plan an inspection—or proactive replacement—of the other side soon after.