[Vwdiesel] Limping Home: Front Wheel Bearings
Val Christian
val at mongobird.com
Tue Sep 13 10:27:01 EDT 2005
Bob,
So if I read between the lines, even though the long screw bearing extractor
works, you'd rather pull the spindle and put it in a press, even if it
means pulling the whole strut?
I can see a screw not working ideally all the time. I know that there's a
share of bearing/hub/spindle combinations where I've gotten out the
torch, doused them with penetrant, beat the side with a ball peen, and
thought about using liquid nitrogen on the bearing! I've never scattered
3/4" sockets across the floor, except when I've been clumsy, but I
always think about it when setting the job up.
A screw does have some advantage, but so does the press. I've never had
a front bearing I couldn't do with my 12T press, but I could imagine
one which wouldn't come free with even a 20T press. When they're hard
pressing, I just load a couple of tons pressure on my (Harbor Freight 12T)
press, and then tap the side of the spindle casting with a ball peen.
Sometimes, I'll heat the casting. When I do, I like to spray a little
very light body (Liquid Wrench vs. WD-40) penetrant into the area of
interest. Oh, heating the casting...don't get it REAL hot...just
300 or 400F max. Enough to expand it, not deform things.
One thing is for sure, when a stubborn bearing frees, there's a big bang.
For the newbies...avoid trying to grind a race off the hub. I've always
pressed them off, or used oxyacetylene to cut them off. The torch is
the fastest approach. A couple of bearings ago, I decided I would grind
the inner race off. Big mistake. It took FOREVER, and was very unsatisfying.
Even getting a cutoof/grinding wheel to bite into the race material was
an exercise in frustration.
Bob, your idea of keeping sections of heavy wall pipe around the press is
a good one. I'll start collecting. One never knows...
Off topic, but I was searching the VW.com website, and found a way to
get titles of TSBs. Has anyone put together a site of TSBs or similar
type stuff? For example, I'm wondering if there is a recall on the
heater core for my 91 Jetta. I notice that there were some changes
in crankshaft (and heard camshaft) sprocket bolts for 1.6L engines.
There ought to be a way that a owner can get the information without
paying $3/item for it. Frustrations of a frugal fanatic.
Val
>
> Val,
>
> I used a Snap-On set up years ago to change bearings on my 81 pick up. It was pretty much just as you describe. The draw bolt was large diameter - about 17mm as I recall, and very fine thread. Worked like a charm. Expensive set up.
> In my shop I use a 3" section of 3.5" steel pipe to rest bearing housing in small press. I also use 3/4" sockets to press out hub. Old bearing I press out with the new one going in. I try to set up everything stable before I start the press process. Better than shooting sockets across the shop.
>
>
> Bob in the Entire State
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Val Christian <val at mongobird.com>
> To: slatersfb at aol.com; vwdiesel at vwfans.com
> Sent: Mon, 12 Sep 2005 15:43:06 -0400 (EDT)
> Subject: Re: [Vwdiesel] Limping Home: Front Wheel Bearings
>
>
> Bob,
>
> You are absolutely right. I did this the last bearing I replaced.
> I can't say that I recommend it. I normally work alone, and holding the
> strut, spring, etc., and juggling the stack-o-sockets (I use 3/4" drive
> sockets with my press), was a real treat to watch. But it is a
> valid technique, and one has to get the ball joint off anyway, so
> undoing the 13 mm nuts for the bearing plate is probably less
> work than taking the lower strut bolts off (and reseting the camber).
> Come to think about it, not all VWs have bolted-in bearing plates.
> Some just prop up there.
>
> "Bob may be frugal, but smart."
>
> BTW, I typically nurse front bearings until I'm ready to replace the front
> struts, and then I do them all at once. Just because a bearing is
> making a little noise, doesn't mean that the timebomb will go off!
>
> Bob, think we could prototype the poorman's bearing puller for front bearing
> replacement? I was going to use a screw from a spring compressor, and a
> stack of 3/4" sockets and metal plates. What I'm not clear on is how to
> start the process. It seems that pulling the hub flange is the first
> step, and then working the bearing out. So a piece of well caseing,
> with a plate over it, and a hole for the threaded rod....
>
>
>
> Val
>
>
> >
> > To save the cost of realignment, I remove entire strut with bearing housing
> attached. A bit more awkward when setting up for press though.
> >
> > Cheap Bob in the Entire State
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Val Christian <val at mongobird.com>
> > To: H . Hagar. <h_hagar at prcn.org>; vwdiesel at vwfans.com
> > Sent: Mon, 12 Sep 2005 13:10:29 -0400 (EDT)
> > Subject: [Vwdiesel] Limping Home: Front Wheel Bearings
> >
> >
> > Hagar,
> >
> > I have allot of experience with wheel bearings on Rabbits.
> >
> > 1. Front bearings give lots of notice.
> >
> > 2. Bearing wear is (load)*( (speed)**2), so if it gets real bad,
> > slow down.
> >
> > 3. Minimize side load. (Slow down on curves?)
> >
> > 4. Look for heat (passive IR thermometer). If it starts kicking up,
> > then stop.
> >
> > 5. Avoid potholes. A marginal bearing starts fracturing when pothole
> > loads happen.
> >
> > 6. Carry a spare bearing ($30 or so) with you, or have someone
> > on call who can run you one if you really need it.
> >
> > 7. Jack front up, and see how much play you have. If the play is small,
> > you probably have a little time (miles). Take a jack with you.
> > You can monitor progress.
> >
> > Other notes: One car went through left front bearings every 30K.
> > Once I changed the spindle (after about 7 bearings), the recurring
> > problem went away. Bearings fail for various causes, not only load
> > and age. Also, a spindle pull, and bearing press takes about
> > 2 hours, with me doing it, in my home shop. Press and torch at hand.
> > Precool bearing prior to pressing into spindle. Also, if inner
> > race is in hub flange, and doesn't want to press of easily, don't
> > even consider cutting/grinding. Use acetylene torch. Cleaner job,
> > and takes about three minutes total extraction time. Also, emery
> > paper hub flange and spindle casting to remove the "peaks". Light
> > oil lube OK, do not use neverseeze (metal particles in NZ may contaminate
> > bearing). Also, consider 2' square with shims (blocks of wood), to
> > jig up and duplicate camber angle of wheel after spindle re-insertion
> > onto strut and ball joint. Then get a laser 4 wheel alignment. If
> > unable, set camber to 0 degrees, and toe-in to 0. A Torpedo
> > level, with magnetic base will help set the camber. Light chain,
> > or even string will set toe-in. I've also laid straight 12' 2x4s
> > against the front wheels to judge how the toe-in looks. On a Rabbit
> > visually straight is VERY close to really straight. Driving on a
> > dirt or snow covered road can help verify alignment, also.
> >
> >
> > Next time I have a front bearing to do, I'm going to try using the screw
> > from a spring compresser, and a set of large sockets, and shims, to
> > press the bearing out of the spindle while on the car. There are
> > kits to do this, but they cost, and I suspect that I can jury rig a
> > tool to accomplish it. Heating the spindle casting may help.
> >
> > Hope this is of help.
> >
> > Val
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > >
> > > I ran in to two different systems --during my Rabbit adventures ---NOTHING I
>
> > ever seen--in
> > > 73 years--------works better than the two spring clip style.
> > >
> > > I just looked at the High Flow manifold --that I promised Loren ---looks
> fine
> > to me .
> > > If I get to -Issaquah
> > > tomorrow ---I shall leave it at a service station close to you Loren
> > ---use it or pass
> > > it on to a needy - person.
> > >
> > > I have no passport ---so I am going to Bullshit my way across the border.
>
> > -- Using my
> > > NATO credentials.
> > >
> > > I shall let you all know how that works out ---good for a laugh say I.
> > >
> > > I heard that Louanne had a heart attack last Tuesday morning and died
> > > almost instantly. The service for her will be in Issaquah this Tuesday,
> > > September 13 at 12:00 at the home of a friend of Louanne.
> > >
> > > If Hagar does not get there ? ---it is for a good reason.
> > >
> > >
> > > Hagar.
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > Vwdiesel mailing list
> > > Vwdiesel at vwfans.com
> > > http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/vwdiesel
> > >
> >
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