1G Replace Wheel Bearing

[TommyDSM]

I need to replace my Driver Side Front Wheel Bearing. How hard is it? And how do I go about doing it? I'm going to buy the Bearing from Autozone, and the Inner and Outter Seals.

 

[92eagleTSI]

I just replaced both of my front bearings it was a PITA, the rotors were rusted solid on the hubs and i had to use a sledgehammer, but i was replacing rotors to so it was ok. The bearing itself is pressed in so getting the old bearing out is a little tricky, it either requires a press, big ass vise, or some ingenuity. I chose the third. If you've done something like this before than i'd say its a good learning experience and go for it but give yourself a full weekend if your a virgin, as it proved to be a bigger pain than i thought. Special tools should include a 2/3 jawed puller(can rent from AZ), a manual(was helpfull),a pulley puller for the rotors, i didn't use one but i don't suggest using a sledge unless you are experianced. Anyways if this is something you are going to do keep me posted i'll try to help any way that i can. also check tierods and balljoints while your at it, mine were as worn out as a $2 whore. Good Luck

 

[TommyDSM]

I just replaced both of my front bearings it was a PITA, the rotors were rusted solid on the hubs and i had to use a sledgehammer, but i was replacing rotors to so it was ok. The bearing itself is pressed in so getting the old bearing out is a little tricky, it either requires a press, big ass vise, or some ingenuity. I chose the third. If you've done something like this before than i'd say its a good learning experience and go for it but give yourself a full weekend if your a virgin, as it proved to be a bigger pain than i thought. Special tools should include a 2/3 jawed puller(can rent from AZ), a manual(was helpfull),a pulley puller for the rotors, i didn't use one but i don't suggest using a sledge unless you are experianced. Anyways if this is something you are going to do keep me posted i'll try to help any way that i can. also check tierods and balljoints while your at it, mine were as worn out as a $2 whore. Good Luck

Yeah I finally got the thing off... Everything was rusted.. Car has been sitting for Over a year... But I used a arbor press. To press the old bearing out... it was a PITA, ### half was still on the hub... I bought a small puller, ### I had a bigger one, but wouldn't fit under the bearing that was stuck on the hub, to pull it off.

After everything was apart, and cleaned, I pressed in the new bearing, I got from AutoZone using the arbor press. I also got seals from AutoZone, but they dont look like the old ones... Not sure I installed the old seals correctly... Here are some pics

My TieEnd Rod was fine, and lowerend ball joint was good too. But my other DSM which is sitting because I'm getting the motor rebuilt. I decided to check it. Found out both wheel bearing are bad, and balljoints are bad, and tie end rod is bad. Well by bad I mean the boots are ripped... So I guess time to replace them...

 

[MG200]

I did this a few months ago and the Autozone seals were wrong and looked like the ones you got. I took them back and picked up the right ones from NAPA.

 

[92eagleTSI]

Those seals looked a little suspicious to me to but i went to like 10 different stores to get all of my seals and bearings so i didn't figure they could all be wrong. It's all a guessing game with Auto Zone and Advance, you never know if your getting the right stuff. Oh well, it looks like you got it covered so good luck with both DSM's.(one is enough for me)
Also you did pack those with grease didn't you? Didn't see any in the pic unless you cleaned it up.
MG200 do you have pics of yours by chance. I'm curious of the difference.
Thanks

 

[TommyDSM]

Those seals looked a little suspicious to me to but i went to like 10 different stores to get all of my seals and bearings so i didn't figure they could all be wrong. It's all a guessing game with Auto Zone and Advance, you never know if your getting the right stuff. Oh well, it looks like you got it covered so good luck with both DSM's.(one is enough for me)
Also you did pack those with grease didn't you? Didn't see any in the pic unless you cleaned it up.
MG200 do you have pics of yours by chance. I'm curious of the difference.
Thanks

Pack with grease? Um No, was I suppose to?!?... as you can see the inner seal doesn't reach all the way down to the bearing... I was more worried about if I had the seals facing the correct way

 

[TommyDSM]

So Napa has the correct Seals? I already reinstalled everything! But I can take it apart I guess,

 

[92eagleTSI]

I used valvalene synthetic i think it was, from AZ. You could probably just pull the outside seal and pack the grease in on the one side just keep turning it every few minutes to spreed the grease around the bearing. The seals look like the ones i used, the big one i put in the same as you but the other one i turned around but i was unsure which way. It looks like i may have put it in backwards but i'm not going back in there.

 

[TommyDSM]

I used valvalene synthetic i think it was, from AZ. You could probably just pull the outside seal and pack the grease in on the one side just keep turning it every few minutes to spreed the grease around the bearing. The seals look like the ones i used, the big one i put in the same as you but the other one i turned around but i was unsure which way. It looks like i may have put it in backwards but i'm not going back in there.

Manual was no help...
So whats the correct way? to install these seal covers. And are you suppose to put grease in them?

 

[92eagleTSI]

It looks like you got the seals right, on the inside the rubber lip will ride on the axle to seal the bearing from anything getting in or out and on the front that lip is going to seal against the hub so it looks good. I was in a major hurry when i did mine and it is backwards. As for the bearings they need to be packed with grease or you will kill it. It just has some lube in it when it was assembled from factory.

 

[TommyDSM]

It looks like you got the seals right, on the inside the rubber lip will ride on the axle to seal the bearing from anything getting in or out and on the front that lip is going to seal against the hub so it looks good. I was in a major hurry when i did mine and it is backwards. As for the bearings they need to be packed with grease or you will kill it. It just has some lube in it when it was assembled from factory.

Yeah I double check that the passenger side, and the rubber seal was facing the axles, so I installed it correct... But I didn't pack it with Grease So i have to pull it out and pack it. But I can only pack the side on toward the axles, since I already press on the hub... But when I installed it, the seal didn't push all the way do to the bearing... So when I fill it won't it just ooz out? Or will it not matter?

 

[nuzzlenut]

I just replace the whole assembly. Why do you only replace the bearings and have to go through the hassle? Whole assembly took 20 minutes replace, 4 bolts and a gear puller and you are good to go. Aside from taking everything off to get to it.

 

[TommyDSM]

I just replace the whole assembly. Why do you only replace the bearings and have to go through the hassle? Whole assembly took 20 minutes replace, 4 bolts and a gear puller and you are good to go. Aside from taking everything off to get to it.

Where did you get it from? Locally I can't get it.. Plus it only cost me $60 bucks to do the bearing... Plus its a learning experience I still have another car I have to replace both sides, If its going to cost me $300 for each assembly I rather do it my self. And put the money towards my engine rebuild

 

[nuzzlenut]

True it does cost more for the whole assembly. I think I paid $120 a piece for them. I think at Advanced Auto.

 

[TommyDSM]

True it does cost more for the whole assembly. I think I paid $120 a piece for them. I think at Advanced Auto.

When I looked Advanced Auto didn't have the whole assembly... are you sure thats were you got it? $120 is not bad for whole assembly...

 

[92eagleTSI]

The grease should not come out the seal on the other side, just pack the bearing until you think its good since you can't see the other side. I'd spend probably 5 - 10min on each bearing, spinning the bearing every couple minutes to spread the grease inside the bearing, and you should be good to go.

That whole assembly you said you got is for a 1g or 2? I didn't know that that was an option.

 

[TurboChrged93]

I just replace the whole assembly. Why do you only replace the bearings and have to go through the hassle? Whole assembly took 20 minutes replace, 4 bolts and a gear puller and you are good to go. Aside from taking everything off to get to it.

You have a 2nd Gen. They are only sold as hub assemblies for 2nd Gens. 1st Gens are sold only as the bearing it self. 2 different cars, 2 totally different setups.