[Vwdiesel] 81 Rabbit - wheel bearings

[Chuck Carnohan]

I had to replace a set of rear bearings on one of my bunnies but never a front.... strange huh?  And yes, they rumbled, then it began to roar. Very noticable and easy to determine the source of the gradually increasing sound level. Kinda like boiling a frog... gradually increased until it was too late! I also replaced the races on that one but I didn't use a press- just hammered the old races out and tapped the new ones in far as I could. Finished the race insertion by cranking them down on the axle, backing off, rotating the hub- a few times to make sure they were seated all the way. 


Chuck Carnohan
-----Original Message-----
From: vwdiesel-bounces at vwfans.com [mailto:vwdiesel-bounces at vwfans.com] On Behalf Of Val Christian
Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2007 2:26 PM
To: vwdiesel at vwfans.com
Subject: Re: [Vwdiesel] 81 Rabbit - wheel bearings

I've found that the klunk is often simplya loose bearing.  For reasons I don't understand, sometimes they need repreloading (retorquing).

Point is, the bearings might be OK.  Actually, I've NEVER had a failed rear bearing on a VW Jetta or Rabbit, and that's several million miles on cars since 1977.

Front bearings?  They fail much more frequently.


> 
> OK bad rear bearing will klunk if jacked up and shook. (I was talking 
> dynamic symptoms :o) Mark
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "mark shepherd" <mark at shepher.fsnet.co.uk>
> To: "vw fans" <Vwdiesel at vwfans.com>; "Rolf Pechukas" <rbp at 4u2bu.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2007 8:45 PM
> Subject: Re: [Vwdiesel] 81 Rabbit - wheel bearings
> 
> 
> > Do bad bearings klunk?
> > Most IMO rumble...
> > CV joints can clunk. Faulty struts klunk... With rear taper bearings the 
> > stub axle can get damaged and become rough and too small....
> > Mark
> > ----- Original Message ----- 
> > From: "Rolf Pechukas" <rbp at 4u2bu.org>
> > To: <vwdiesel at vwfans.com>
> > Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2007 5:33 PM
> > Subject: [Vwdiesel] 81 Rabbit - wheel bearings
> >
> >
> > shop just told me 'klunk' is wheel bearings in both rear wheels
> > pass side is much worse, but apparently driver's side is iffy too
> > they did not want to re-pack b/c they might be shot, and then 'big
> > money'
> > what's the best move here?
> > order new bearings for both sides and install?
> > any online how-to procedural anywhere?
> > I'd like to know exactly what to expect b/c this will be a driveway
> > operation at 10°f in 2' of snow
> > thanks all
> > -- 
> >
> > Rolf in MA
> >
> >
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