Hub Shark versus harborfreight wheel bearing R&R tool
11-16-2007, 07:10 AM
#11
AudiWorld Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 553
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Got the Hub Tamer for ~$300, well worth it...
Got it here http://www.ntxtools.com/network-tool-warehouse/OTC-6537.html
I have done all 4 bearings on my wife's 2.8 avant, 2 fronts on my old 99.5 1.8t A4 and all 4 on my 02 S4. This tool makes life so easy. The book tells you what tools to use for each job. There is a tool for pulling the inner race off the hub. It is the shiny silver fork thing in the pic.
The biggest metal piece in that pic is what you use to pull the hub out of the knuckle. It sits on the knuckle with the 'prong' to the inside. You put the bolt through the hub and thread the nut and a spacer on the end behind the hub. Then you put a wrench on the nut and put the impact hammer on the bolt. As you turn the bolt, hold the nut still. This causes the spacer to move up the bolt toward you and out of the knuckle.
I use an impact wrench on a 125psi compressor. I have had to use the breaker bar and an extension to loosen some tight spots.
My recommendation is to get the hub tamer.
I have done all 4 bearings on my wife's 2.8 avant, 2 fronts on my old 99.5 1.8t A4 and all 4 on my 02 S4. This tool makes life so easy. The book tells you what tools to use for each job. There is a tool for pulling the inner race off the hub. It is the shiny silver fork thing in the pic.
The biggest metal piece in that pic is what you use to pull the hub out of the knuckle. It sits on the knuckle with the 'prong' to the inside. You put the bolt through the hub and thread the nut and a spacer on the end behind the hub. Then you put a wrench on the nut and put the impact hammer on the bolt. As you turn the bolt, hold the nut still. This causes the spacer to move up the bolt toward you and out of the knuckle.
I use an impact wrench on a 125psi compressor. I have had to use the breaker bar and an extension to loosen some tight spots.
My recommendation is to get the hub tamer.
11-16-2007, 07:25 AM
#12
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,298
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Prices:
For kicks I asked the dealer how much they were charging for ONE rear wheel bearing job. I was told $900. This figure likely included a new hub. I'll get to that in a moment.
A local German car specialist quoted me 2 hours labor ($92 per hour) and $80 for the bearing. They use the OEM SKF bearing kit, which isn't marked up a lot (about $5-12 more that online price). The total, including tax will be $273. That's quite acceptable. If a new hub is needed, the hub will cost an additional $245.
DIY is of course an option, but it requires a costly tool and luck. Luck, because the hub may be corroded and because the bearing needs to be mounted completely true, or it will break soon. That's why I think the dealer will want to replace the hub in any case.
Bearing quality is another issue. The OEM bearing the dealer sells may be better than the same bearing (going by number on bearing only) by the same maker (SKF in this case) than one that's been made to meet VW/Audi specs (including the used grease -- don't want cheap grease in there!). Whether or not having the VW/Audi marks on the bearing is worth the extra cost is a contentious question over which people have fought tooth and nail, defending their personal belief with so far no verifiable fact thrown in for good measure. Just looking at how often people R&R wheel bearings tells me that the failure rate is high -- considerably higher than is the case with factory-installed bearings. I got now 160k miles on the car and this is the first wheel bearing to go. I'd rather do it, or have it done, right -- but not for $900!
*in diabolical Jack Nicholson voice* Sorry for the rant, fellows. I'm sure you can understand how all this makes me just a little concerned. ;-)
A local German car specialist quoted me 2 hours labor ($92 per hour) and $80 for the bearing. They use the OEM SKF bearing kit, which isn't marked up a lot (about $5-12 more that online price). The total, including tax will be $273. That's quite acceptable. If a new hub is needed, the hub will cost an additional $245.
DIY is of course an option, but it requires a costly tool and luck. Luck, because the hub may be corroded and because the bearing needs to be mounted completely true, or it will break soon. That's why I think the dealer will want to replace the hub in any case.
Bearing quality is another issue. The OEM bearing the dealer sells may be better than the same bearing (going by number on bearing only) by the same maker (SKF in this case) than one that's been made to meet VW/Audi specs (including the used grease -- don't want cheap grease in there!). Whether or not having the VW/Audi marks on the bearing is worth the extra cost is a contentious question over which people have fought tooth and nail, defending their personal belief with so far no verifiable fact thrown in for good measure. Just looking at how often people R&R wheel bearings tells me that the failure rate is high -- considerably higher than is the case with factory-installed bearings. I got now 160k miles on the car and this is the first wheel bearing to go. I'd rather do it, or have it done, right -- but not for $900!
*in diabolical Jack Nicholson voice* Sorry for the rant, fellows. I'm sure you can understand how all this makes me just a little concerned. ;-)
11-16-2007, 07:29 AM
#14
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,298
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That tool is the one
... that a professional mechanic recommended. I hadn't found it yet, so you saved me time by posting a link. Thanks!
Looks good, better than the Hub Shark actually.
Looks good, better than the Hub Shark actually.
11-16-2007, 07:31 AM
#15
AudiWorld Expert
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 25,530
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I had my garage remove and insert new bearings (driver and pass front) into mine that I removed
cost $100
And for the once every 4 years that it needs to be done....why buy the tool
And for the once every 4 years that it needs to be done....why buy the tool
11-16-2007, 07:43 AM
#16
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,298
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
One can never have enough tools ;-)
Leaving the car without wheels in the garage for a half a day would be problematic, since I share the garage with other people.
A wheel bearing should also last longer than four years. The job needs to be done absolutely properly and cleanly. Not sure if any of my local shops can be trusted!
A wheel bearing should also last longer than four years. The job needs to be done absolutely properly and cleanly. Not sure if any of my local shops can be trusted!
11-16-2007, 07:45 AM
#17
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've got the HF tool and IIRC it is only available online... that said
I've used it successfully to change out all my wheel bearings. my 26 gallon air compressor and impact driver aren't always quite up to the challenge and I usually resort to using a couple 2' breaker bars at times. Overall it has been a good investment for me though...
