[Vwdiesel] More Wheel Bearing fun!

[H.Hagar]

I was in the process of trying to tell Sandy Cameron how I do the front bearings on
the Rabbits.  By PM -- now it makes more sense to do it here.

First I agree with Roger Brown --- like him I was disappointed with the design.

And Lee ---   the preload is set at manufacturing.  --- and never load them without
the big nut very tight.

I think bearing will break up "galling" before it wears ''so listen to it real carefully.
So even if no play is found it may still be shot.The two rows are too close together.
IMHO.
If there is play it is shot.   There is not much I can add to Roger Browns information
but I shall explain how and why I did it. (saved bearing).

On my first rabbit (Bunny Rust) I got a new bearing 45 dollars worth Can.  This is long before
I found this place.I had just installed it on Rusty when the guy sold me the 1982 
Rabbit   I switched the plates ''and now the 82 needs a front bearing.So I asked the "Experts"
can I move the bearing ? answer NO it will be ruined by removing .So I spent
another 45.   ---  Then after removing a badly galled bearing I did a bit of fooling
around and found that indeed they can be removed ok.
Now they will split so you have to reinstall oilseal.   I figured that the balls were strong
enough to force outer ring out of housing without harm and I was right. Press carefully
and use soft heat on housing.
Bearing has a plastic cage for the balls so the whole thing can be totally taken 
apart and examined.  Then re-grease install seal and bingo we drive again.

Do not use a hammer if you want to save bearing.   There are a lot of nifty ways to do it even if you have no access to a press.  --Big bolt will do.

I have not done one on the car so I cant say how I did that ---  it can be done.

I remove housings for sandblasting and painting ---then cover everything in Never - Seez
on assembly.  So if you wind up with one I did , hundred years from now ? yes bearing can still be removed.

Hagar.

PS: put bearing in zipplock bag in freezer and use soft heat on housing --and bearing
will plunk in there nicely.