wheel bearing tools

[Mark R]

With the on-car tools, you don't have to remove the spindle, and don't have
to get an alignment.  On-car is the way to go!   =)
I personally use the big OTC kit.... and a 3/4" IR (650 lb-ft?) air impact
gun.  Someone might make an A/C electric impact gun with enough torque (I'd
guess 400+ for break-away torque), but running it from an inverter would be
dubious.

The problem with the Harbor Freight kit (versus OTC, Hub Shark, etc.) is
that (apparently to me), it offers no provisions for pressing out the axle.
The included tools are only for the R&R of the bearing itself.  I suppose
you could beat it out with a dead-blow hammer (or 2lb sledge), but that
would make me nervous.   =)

Anyone who runs a lot of power and/or tracks their car... goes through wheel
bearings.  My personal '00 S4 had been rock solid (since the turbos were
replaced under warranty), but with a coil-over suspension, stiffer anti-roll
bars, more HP, and sticky tires.... I've replaced the fronts once (from new)
and the rears twice (from new).... all in 60K miles!  And I have clients
with the same rate of failure.  It's worth noting that the wheel bearings
are the same for an original B5 A4 (150 HP) as a modified S4.  I put wheel
bearings as a routine maintenance item for clients.  45-50K miles for
fronts, 30K miles for rears seems to be "close for planning purposes."

Good luck... and let us know if you need some advice (i.e. moral support).

Mark Rosenkrantz