[V6-12v] Front Wheel Bearing

[Kent McLean]

James Whitehouse wrote:
> I have a front wheel bearing going bad. According to my mechanic it's a bit
> of a job and about 2 hours labour, so I'm considering doing this one myself.

You have some options:

1) Remove the hub and bring it to a machine shop to have them
    press the bearings out and in.  You will need an alignment
    afterwards.  Fairly easy to do, reduces expense of mechanic.
    (And if your mechanic does it this way, you'll still need
    an alignment, so make sure that is part of his price.)

2) Pull the bearings using a Hub Shark or similar. The hub stays
    on the car, and you won't need an alignment. I've heard that
    this cheaper alternative works, but I haven't used one:
 
<http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=45210>

3) Build your own tool like the one in item 2.  I'm still waiting
    for someone to say they've built one.  This should give you
    some ideas:
    <http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi/bushings-pix2.htm>
    That one was built for suspension bushings, which aren't as tight
    a fit.  Some will argue that a 20 ton press is needed and a home
    built tool won't do it.  I'm thinking Hub Shark and the Harbor
    Freight tools work, so you might be able to build your own.

4) Realize that it's more than 2 hours labor for you, give in and
    let your mechanic do it.

--
Kent McLean
'94 100 S Avant, "Moody"
'89 200 TQ, "Bad Puppy" up in smoke
'56 Austin-Healey 100 BN2, for sale