Re: front end clunk = wheel bearing

[Andrei Kogan <abk@phy.duke.edu>]

At 04:10 PM 4/5/99 EDT, you wrote:
>Folks, I think we have winner. When I changed the strut bearings this
weekend 
>I noticed a wheel/carrier bearing felt loose (only slightly) but saw no way 
>to change it so reinstalled it. The bearing itself felt quite smooth and 
>makes no "bearing noise." Your post however could be exactly right, and 
>relieve my diagnostic anxiety.
>Now; I noticed a snap ring retainer on the axle side of said bearing. The 
>bolt flange (larger end) of the unit is opposite this. How pray tell does
one 
>then R/R this bearing?  Thank you _very_ much for the sage advice. I would 
>like to know who your guru friend is. I hold such people in high esteem.
>
>Dennis

1.

The person I mentioned in my post is Mr. Lonnie Long, and he works on Guess
Road Amoco Gas/car service station in Durham, NC. Not sure, but I think he
used to work for an Audi ( maybe vw)  dealer, but that's where he is now.
He knows vw/Audi cars inside out, seems like. He is a very nice person to
deal with, doesn't mind taking a moment to explain you why he believes the
problem is what he thinks it is,  and will listen to your own contributions
if they are good. He saved my *ss BIG time  a few times, and I will
enthusiastically recommend him to anyone in the RTP area. He also doesn't
mind dealing with people who actually know something about their cars,
unlike many mechanics I've met.

2. As to the bearing R&R: that's best left to a shop, pull the strut
assembly and take it to them. You will ideally need a hydraulic press to
get it in and a good puller to get the old one out. The bearing will be
destroyed when removed from the strut. You would need to pull out the hub
first, the inner race will come off with it, if I remember right. If you do
it yourself, you can use the outer race of the old bearing to press in the
new one. Be very careful not to destroy the rubber  grease seals. I think,
the bearing is pressed in from inside (the axle side) and then in goes the
clip you mentioned.