Has anone changed a front wheel bearing?

[forbes82]

Hi Guys,

Just got my replacement bearing and need to fit it in the next couple of weeks ready for a track day, does anyone have any advice or tips? Any potential tricky parts?

A how-to would be helpful but i can't see one on the wiki. Any tips would be welcome! Cheers guys.

p.s. If anyone is at the castle coombe track day in a couple of weeks i will see you there!

[ashm]

My approach was to take it to a garage with a proper press and ask them to do it!
Adam

bearing01.jpg

bearing02.jpg

[Monty]

i removed the hub carriers and took them to the local garage to be pressed in and out.

[GeoffSmith]

I gave up and did likewise. See you at CC.

[lotusgirlmarie]

Ditto. Remove hubs/knuckles and take them to a shop.

[Specky]

I've changed a few front wheel bearings,

you'll need a few bits of kit...

a hub puller, ball joint splitters and a hydraulic press...

Must post some pics some time.

TTFN

[Candles]

I did both of mine when I had access to a large press. One bearing was on so tight that it actually disintegrated before sliding off. I then ground off the remaining shell! Nightmare.

[bobbrown]

A trick to getting the bearing out if you have access to a mig welder is to knock the centre part of the bearing out and run a bead of weld around the bearing on a low setting as not to get too much penatration as you are not trying to weld the bearing in place. Once cool the bearing will just fall out, but you still need to press or pull the new bearing into place.
I did make my own 8 ton press and it works quite well for these sorts of jobs and only cost me about £25.00

Bob

[forbes82]

Thanks guys, great help and advice as usual.

[Jamie N]

The front bearings can be removed and installed without a press,ive done both of mines with no real issues,i knocked the old ones out with a large socket,then used the old bearing on top of the new one to drift it into the hub,schimples .

Jamie.

[Specky]

Here are a few pics of myself changing a wheel bearing,

It all went a bit Pete Tong....

Long story short, I've had another wheel bearing decide let go,

I thought I'd use the hub and carrier off the project car as they were already removed,

Just pop the circlips off and Bob's your uncle...

A 15 Ton press was required just to push the hub out of the bearing. (Glad I've got access to one)



Bugger.... part of the bearing has become one with the hub...

and to top it off I've sheared the brake disk retaining bolt....



Belt file and dremmel thingy



Press that bearing out



I pressed the new bearing in with the old one...

yes it will get stuck so be careful, in the very final stages sandwich the circlip between the old and new bearings.

it will then snap into it's recess, a tap with a hammer removes the old bearing.

I used a Bench vice to put the hub carrier back into the bearing



I'll do a full write up and take some more pics when I change the hub and carrier (I just need the time)

TTFN

[PIT-STOP]

Hi,
as my front wheel bearing has had it, and my car is off the road awaiting some brake mods from HiSpec ,thought I'd have a go at getting the front wheel bearing sorted.Following the instructions I have got to No13 on the list and come to a stop. I have removed the nuts after a struggle (read 'with chisel') but I can't seem to get enough room to pull the carrier out. Should the bolts come out too? If so how? Do they knock out? (I note that from the pictures it looks like the upper ball joint was left in place for the top fixing and removed later....is that easier???)
Budding amateur mechanic here willing to learn. Any help appreciated.
Thanks

[Specky]

The upper bolts seize in place, it's all the usual method to remove seized bolts.

I've got pictures of the whole task, just say if you need any.


TTFN

[PIT-STOP]

OK. Will seek out biggest hammer and blow torch!

Any pictures you can send me would be much appreciated. Can't do my efforts any harm if it isn't too much trouble.
Cheers.

[Brit-Car-Nut]

I am not sure if you are questioning whether the upper balljoint stays with the carrier or stays with the upper wishbones.

The upper ball joint stays with the carrier by removing the 2 bolts securing it to the wishbones. It doesn't need to be removed from the carrier at all.

The bolts/nuts often are rusted and need extra energy to get them to come loose.

Once the upper ball joint is free, the lower ball joint is separated from the carrier using a pickle fork, tuning fork or a ball joint press.

[PIT-STOP]

You got it. I will therefore leave it with the carrier and take out the top two bolts.
Just worrying about the alignment cams now....... will see what the morning brings. Expect more postings as I panic with increasing frequency!

Thanks.

[Specky]

just about to upload some photo's

TTFN

[Brit-Car-Nut]

Just keep track of the camber shims and caster plates and put them back where you found them.

[Specky]

As you can see from the pictures I had to drill the head off one of the upper bolts, the other sheared the head off, they were a bitch to drift out on the bench.

[ashm]

Incidentally, you don't absolutely need a hydraulic press to do jobs like this properly... I've done wheel bearings on the other cars with my No.2 flypress, it just sometimes takes a really good whack to get them moving initially.
Adam