Help with front wheel bearings

JimB911 · 05-09-2004, 02:16 PM

A couple of weeks ago I decided to rebuild my front calipers (84 911). I have since decided on replacing discs and soft lines as well.

Well, today I thought I would tackle cleaning up the hub. I really wanted to repack both inner and outer bearings, but I guess I have to take the grease seal out to get the inner bearing out. What are the tricks to getting that seal out. I have already torn up the rubber part of the seal.

Also, should the inner bearing move around in the race, especially in to out. Any help on this and repacking the bearings and hub would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jim

on-ramp · 05-09-2004, 02:28 PM

you have to remove the entire bearing out (this includes 2 parts: inner race and outer race) to get access to the seal behind.....

here's the assembly....seal is in red

JimB911 · 05-09-2004, 03:11 PM

on-ramp,
That doesn't look like mine. From the backing plate going out is the grease seal, the inner bearing, and the the inner race.

So, I am trying to figure out how to get the seal out, and to determine if the bearing should move alot in the race.
thanks,
Jim

on-ramp · 05-09-2004, 03:18 PM

ok, you prob. have a setup similar to my 83...you need to remove the inner and outer bearing races to get the old seal out and to reinstall the new one..

as far as in/out play, the more you turn the lock nut (with allen screw), the less play you will have (in the wheel). By turning that lock nut clockwise, you are effectively pushing the outer race closer and closer to the inner one.

JimB911 · 05-09-2004, 03:23 PM

on-ramp,
Why do I have to remove the bearing races to get the seal out, since the seal is on the outside of the race. I'm confused.
Jim

on-ramp · 05-09-2004, 03:25 PM

your seal should sit all the way to the back, behind the bearing races....unless there's another seal there..
perhaps if you took a pic

Shuie · 05-09-2004, 03:37 PM

Buy two new grease seals so you dont have to worry about ruining them. You may be able to salvage the ones you have, but I'd leave them be before I tried to remove and re-install them. They are cheap anyway.

You dont have to remove the races to get the grease seal out. Remove the hub from the spindle and either pry or hammer the grease seal out with something blunt from the outer side of the hub. There is probably a better way to do it, but I think I used the handle of a hammer that I then hit with another hammer.

The outer bearing is free to fall onto the dirty floor where it will get loaded up with sand, etc so keep an eye on it when you removed the hub. Same thing for the inner bearing once the grease seal has been dislodged.

Repack the bearings as normal. Cover the new grease seal with a rag and press it in palce with somethign that ont tear it. You can use the spindle as a hammer to help press it in place also.

Seriously, dont drop the bearings on a dirty floor, BTDT.

JimB911 · 05-09-2004, 03:57 PM

Sherman,
Thanks - I think I got it now. I was just surprised at how much play there was in the bearing.
Jim

on-ramp · 05-09-2004, 05:50 PM

ok, the front wheel bearings on my 83sc were much different in that the seal sat all the way in the back, behind the bearing (inner and outer race)

sorry for the confusion.