Hey, Long time lurker, first time poster. I have a 2003 Chevy Monte Carlo ss
So today I tried to replace my front driver's wheel hub because of the typical "abs" "trac off" warnings. Everything went well until the very end.
The rotor was rusted to the wheel hub. Plus every time I tried to pull the wheel hub off the axle kept trying to come with it. It moved approx. 1/2" outwards and the assembly moved around freely. That's when i got nervous and just put everything back together.

The main thing I'm worried about is I wasn't able to torque the wheel hub or the caliper bracket bolts because the torque wrench was too long to fit under the car. I torqued them by hand. About ratchet tight plus another 1/8 to 1/4 turn.

Is this tight enough for just about a week at most? Until I can get it to the shop. Got a local Mechanic who will do it for $350.

Also is my wheel going to fall off suddenly? or will there be gradual feelings and noises? This is a family vehicle so I'm pretty nervous about this.

The lug nuts and axle nut is torqued correctly to 100lbs and 118lbs.

I test drove it for about 30 mins and there wasn't any substantial noise. I was kinda paranoid so I was mistaking tire noise for hub noise I think. But nothing like "OMG what the hell is that?"

Thank you

 

I think you'll be fine long as you got I everything tight by hand.
The axle ain't nothing to worry over if it pull out. Heck if feasible money wise that's a good time to change an axle anyways while you are that far into it.

 

I have a 7th gen, but the situation is the same. When I replaced the front hubs on my 06, the same thing occurred. The driver's side hub was "stuck" and I had to beat the hell out of it with a 6lb hammer to get it all out, in pieces. The axle moved out at least 1/2" and I was also worried, but it all went back together fine and the warning lights went away.

I would get it fixed as soon as possible, but if you tightened the bolts snug with a ratchet, you should be ok for awhile, just don't drive aggressively until it's torqued properly.

 

A decent sized rubber mallet and PB blaster could get it free. As long as you tightened with a ratchet, you should be good the time being.

 

Well we're taking it to the shop tomorrow.Thanks for the replies. It sucks that I could've of just took the axle out. I thought if I just pulled it out it would've broken the axle or the transmission. I was so closeee lol.

The monte is also having an issue with the Cruise and AC controls. When I first start it the Cruise light is on then the AC and Radio kick out. But after a few mins the cruise goes away and everything else comes on. I pretty sure it's the ignition switch which just got recalled. Also the windows switches and power mirrors and locks don't illuminate at night. Ignition switch?

 

My 03 SS had been having a similar issue. Start up the car, cruise light illuminated on cluster, ac blower wouldn't blow, overhead driver info center inop. Would start up fine sometimes as normal, then others it would exhibit above symptoms.
Changed out ignition switch, took at most 30 minutes, problem solved no more issues.