Wheel bearins? Help please

[bradleybishop10]

So i am changing my wheel bearings and ball joints(Lower).. today.. I also figured while i was there i will do my brakes. So this is quite the project and by far the biggest thing i have ever attempted.. So what will i need to do all of this? Any tips or hints or stuff to watch out for? I have the ball joints and am picking up the wheel bearings and brakes soon.. I would be very happy with step by step instructions I do have a book but i wanted to see what you guys had to say... and what tools will i need to get everything off? i heard something about a 23mm socket?

Thanks so much

 

[DSM_PWR]

Rent/Buy

23mm Socket for balljoint
Ball Joint Seperator for balljoint
32mm Socket for wheel bearing
Breakerbar for wheel bearing

I use an impact which makes breaking bolts/nuts ALOT easier

Cliff Notes
Its a pretty simple job, once youve got the car jacked up, start by taking the cotterpin off the axle nut and breaking loose the 32mm axle nut with the breaker bar..

Then loosed/remove the lower strut bolt/nut and balljoint arm so that you can have room to slide the axle out of the wheel bearing..

This point you should be able to use the 23mm socket to break loose the nut on the balljoint and use the balljoint seperator to help get it off the knuckle...

Then just remove the (4) bolts holding the wheel bearing to the knuckle

 

[bradleybishop10]

Thanks that helps.. isn't the separator called a pickle fork? Cause i did rent one of those

 

[DSM_PWR]

Yea same tool.. does the same job

 

[rlacasse1]

You don't have to have a pickle fork. You can just smack the knuckle where the ball joint is a few times with a big hammer and pry down on the lower arm and it will pop loose. Saves a little money.

 

[bradleybishop10]

Ok.. Wow that all really helps so much.. Thank you! Anything else i need to know?

You don't have to have a pickle fork. You can just smack the knuckle where the ball joint is a few times with a big hammer and pry down on the lower arm and it will pop loose. Saves a little money.

It doesn't cost anythin to rent

 

[rlacasse1]

Oh. Well nevermind though. I was just trying to give you another option. I personnally have never used a pickle fork. But yeah if it is free to use then do it.

 

[1gTurboTuner]

Wheel bearing replacement is a pretty big job, I replaced my front wheel bearings early this fall.

Will you be replacing them yourself? Or having a shop press them out/press the new ones in? The hardest part is getting them out but if you have the right tools and some patience it really isn't to bad.

I see you have a 2g and am not sure if this guide will apply, but i'm sure it will give you a good idea of what's needed.

There is a tech guide:
1g: http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/art...ow-replace-your-awd-front-wheel-bearings.html

I followed the 1g guide pretty much completely I used a little different method to press out the wheel bearing because the wrench method he uses wasn't working for me. The best trick he has though is to put the bearings and your ball joints in the freezer for 15 or so min and they go in MUCH easier.

Good luck

 

[spydreclips6]

I'd get a gear puller to help push the axel out of the hub. Works everytime for me(try not to beat on the tip of the axel threads, because you'll have a hard time getting the spindle nut back on).

 

[DSM_PWR]

You don't have to have a pickle fork. You can just smack the knuckle where the ball joint is a few times with a big hammer and pry down on the lower arm and it will pop loose. Saves a little money.

That will work but yet you risk the chance of damaging the balljoint...

Since the OP is replacing it, it would be ok BUT..

I was trying to show him the PROPER way incase someone wasnt replacing the arm

 

[DSM nOOb]

That will work but yet you risk the chance of damaging the balljoint...

Since the OP is replacing it, it would be ok BUT..

I was trying to show him the PROPER way incase someone wasnt replacing the arm

I wouldn't call a pickle fork the proper way because you can do some serious damage to the balljoint boot. A balljoint seperator is the proper tool. But like you said they are being replace so no worries

 

[DSM_PWR]

I wouldn't call a pickle fork the proper way because you can do some serious damage to the balljoint boot. A balljoint seperator is the proper tool. But like you said they are being replace so no worries

If used the correct way.. you shouldnt tear it..

Ive done plenty of balljoints and have yet to damage the boot

But hey... maybe its just luck?

 

[95blackGsTurbo]

That will work but yet you risk the chance of damaging the balljoint...

Since the OP is replacing it, it would be ok BUT..

I was trying to show him the PROPER way incase someone wasnt replacing the arm

You don't actually hit the balljoint itself. You hit the knuckle where the balljoint is in. I have practiced this for many years on balljoints, tie rod ends and any other suspension component of this nature. Pickle forks are good but if he were trying to salvage the ball joint they have a habit or tearing boots and gouging the shaft of the joint if not used properly. As far as the wheel bearing goes, for a 2g it is simple if you purchased the whole hub assembly with studs already in it. Otherwise the bearings must be pressed in and out.

 

[bradleybishop10]

Well i kinda have an up date.. I started taking stuff off last night and found out that the guy who had my car before me did not take car of it at all.. The cotter pin was so rusted that i had to drill it out!.. and the hub nut is on there so tight i could not break it with my breaker bar.. i was even jumping on the bar(im about 180).. Im getting an impact tonight i hope that works.. any suggestions if i cant get that to work?

 

[ramsack]

Yeah, I have always just hit the side of where a joint goes into a knuckle. I have only used a pickle fork for stubborn tie rod ends or ball joints that i don't plan on keeping.

 

[bradleybishop10]

Yeah, I have always just hit the side of where a joint goes into a knuckle. I have only used a pickle fork for stubborn tie rod ends or ball joints that i don't plan on keeping.

Im talking about the nut that stops the rotor from coming off..

 

[babell2]

1/2 inch T bar and a Pipe. I use a 1/2 inch threaded rod, washers, nuts, and my 3/4 inch socket set to push in and out front wheel bearings. Just remember not to load the balls of the bearings during instalation or you will be replacing them again in about 3000 miles.

 

[ramsack]

I was replying to previous comments. I had to buy a 3/4" drive breaker bar and socket once to get off axle nuts. Even then i had to add leverage to it and jump up and down on it. They do not need to be torqued on to he-man strength. The cotter pin will make sure it doesn't come loose.

 

[bradleybishop10]

Yea i know.. i cant even get it by jumping.. it sucks..stupid people

 

[bradleybishop10]

Well i found out that my rotors were bad as well. and i finally got it off by using my buddies impact at their shop. it is so crappy down there, the person who had it before me did not take car of it at all .. But unfortunatly i need it for tomorrow so i put the rotors and the nut back on with new brakes. So next week comes round two at doing these stupid bearings and joints...

 

[rlacasse1]

That will work but yet you risk the chance of damaging the balljoint...

Since the OP is replacing it, it would be ok BUT..

I was trying to show him the PROPER way incase someone wasnt replacing the arm

I have used my way many times and have never had an issue. I think it is all about what method you prefer to use.

As for removing the bolt. Grab a little propane torch and heat the living $hit out of the nut and it should break free with a breaker bar or impact.

 

[bradleybishop10]

Yea i thought about the torche but i wasn't sure if that was such a good idea since it is on the drive axle.. and none of you guys suggested that so i just wasn't going to say anything... But its all good becuase we got it with that impact.. But it was unfortunate cause we broke it and then had to put it right back on cause i need the car for this weekend... Also had to use an air chisel to get the stupid rotor off.. I was so angry

 

[Calan]

.. But it was unfortunate cause we broke it and then had to put it right back on cause i need the car for this weekend...

Not sure if I read that right, but axle nuts should not be reused, regardless of their condition.

 

[DSM nOOb]

Well honestly I'd say you are quite lucky to have gotten the nut off. On one of my talons I actually had to cut the axle in half unbolt the hub and pull it all out that way. 13 years of ohio winters with salt made it physically impossible to seperate the nut from the axle it also happened on all four axles with that car.

 

[bradleybishop10]

Not sure if I read that right, but axle nuts should not be reused, regardless of their condition.

I have never heard that you can't reuse the nut? does anyone else have an opinion on this?

Well honestly I'd say you are quite lucky to have gotten the nut off. On one of my talons I actually had to cut the axle in half unbolt the hub and pull it all out that way. 13 years of ohio winters with salt made it physically impossible to seperate the nut from the axle it also happened on all four axles with that car.

Wow that sucks.. Your right i feel very fortunate that it did come off for me.. I would have been quite angry if that had happened to me but with how the rest of the car was i would not have been surprised..