Another bearing question...

[Livolsi, Stephane]

Gerard, IMHO the guys who did this for you are full of C**P!  When I had
mine done, I watched the fellow do it and you can tell that the forces put
on by that hydraulic press are EXTREME and the method you describe would put
outrageous lateral forces on that bearing.  There may not be any VISIBLE
damage but I am willing to bet that the tolerances between the ball bearings
and the races has changed slightly, which will accelerate wear.  The inner
race has to be pressed on to the hub and the outer race has to be pressed
into the strut.  Of course this is hard to do because the inner and outer
races can't be separated.  However a well equipped shop will have the right
equipment.

I would get the shop to acknowledge (in writing) what the mileage on your
vehicle is now, just in case you are back there in a couple of months.

Regards

Stephane

> ----------
> From: 	Gerard[SMTP:gerard at poboxes.com]
> Sent: 	November 1, 2000 4:51 AM
> To: 	audi list
> Subject: 	Re: Another bearing question...
> 
> I'm back from the shop who did the bearings. This is how it's going to
> go. The bearing was pushed in with a vice, but eventually we had to go
> to a place with a small hydraulic press. The bearing popped back and is
> now flush with the rear of the housing. I bitched alot about what you
> guys said about the proper install procedure, but got nowhere. I said
> when the struts go on the car and I have a stuffed up bearings I'm
> coming back to get new ones. The answer to this was that that'd be fine,
> but that I would not have the problem.
> 
> I asked about the install procedure. It seems to clash with what I've
> been told is the correct procedure. First the bearing is pushed in half
> way, then the hub is installed on the inner race and the hub and bearing
> are forced in together. Much mechanic speak was given out about them
> having done it this way forever on press and vice with no side effects.
> This we'll see when I'm mobile.
> 
> On the "good" side, I contacted SKF again. This time there are 6 VKBA962
> units in the country. :) Two in Pretoria, 2 in Port Elizabeth and 4 in
> Roodepoort. When I ordered mine there were no kits like this available
> in the country. I'm wondering if I should buy 2 right now prep'ing for
> the future? :) They're $33 a piece.
> 
> I did notice that this bearing is a double ball-bearing unit. This
> installer told me you can't damage the bearing pushing it in like he did
> because of the step between the 2 rows of ball bearings.
> 
> I don't know...I'm giving it a go after the car is running. If not, I'm
> going back for new ones...
> 
> G.
>