wheel bearing question
03-12-2008, 07:06 AM
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wheel bearing question
My left front wheel bearing is shot, and I'm looking for advice. Anyone have thoughts on the most cost-effective way to approach this? Should I buy the bearing kit online & have someone put it in? I'm no mechanic...any advice you can give would be appreciated.
Chris
'94 90
Chris
'94 90
03-12-2008, 07:42 AM
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Just did this not more than a couple of days ago. First.....
are you absolutely sure it's the wheel bearing? The bearings on these cars are very tough and long life.
If you are sure, than go the route you have suggested. Get the bearing and have a good shop install the bearing in the hub. Taking the hub out is a breeze IF you have the tools, time and space too work. Otherwise get a mechanic to do it.
If you are sure, than go the route you have suggested. Get the bearing and have a good shop install the bearing in the hub. Taking the hub out is a breeze IF you have the tools, time and space too work. Otherwise get a mechanic to do it.
03-12-2008, 07:44 AM
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If you're no mechanic... drop off at shop, say "I need a new wheel bearing"...
come back in a few days and hand them cash.
If you're a semi-mechanic... lift the car, remove the hub assembly (requires tools... sockets, wrenches, hammer... impact gun is helpful), then take the hub to someone and have them install the new bearing. You reinstall the hub yourself. If it falls apart cause you mis-torqued a nut or the axle bolt... you're fault.
If you're a full mechanic type... do everything, including pressing out the old bearing and pressing in the new bearing. It's not rocket science, but it does require tools, some knowledge, and problem solving. Things can go bad quickly. (bearings can seperate when pressing the wheel hub out, and you can be stuck with a piece of inner bearing stuck on your hub. Lots of fun to remove.)
If you're a semi-mechanic... lift the car, remove the hub assembly (requires tools... sockets, wrenches, hammer... impact gun is helpful), then take the hub to someone and have them install the new bearing. You reinstall the hub yourself. If it falls apart cause you mis-torqued a nut or the axle bolt... you're fault.
If you're a full mechanic type... do everything, including pressing out the old bearing and pressing in the new bearing. It's not rocket science, but it does require tools, some knowledge, and problem solving. Things can go bad quickly. (bearings can seperate when pressing the wheel hub out, and you can be stuck with a piece of inner bearing stuck on your hub. Lots of fun to remove.)
03-12-2008, 07:46 AM
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One benefit to the mechanic sourcing the bearing kit...
If the bearing fails quickly for some reason, you can argue that they sourced it, therefore it's their responsibility. If you source it, and the bearing fails, even if it's because they installed it wrong... they can wipe their hands of it by saying "you must have gotten a bad/cheap bearing".
03-12-2008, 08:05 AM
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2nd, Just did this with a friend about 4 days ago.
The passenger wheel bearing was bad (very loud and a lot of play). Remove hub by removing the 17mm allen (or 27mm) axle bolt, caliper/carrier, two bolts on strut tube and knuckle. It's not too bad. I brought the hub to a machine shop and got charged $48 to press it in. Not sure if that's around the going rate or not.
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