Rear wheel bearings....part of axle assembly?

on-ramp · 05-09-2004, 05:43 AM

are the wheel bearings included as part of this axle assembly sold here on Pelican or are they separate?

I'm hearing some low rumbling coming from the rear and i suspect bearings.

beepbeep · 05-09-2004, 05:47 AM

No, they are separate and press-fitted in rear sway-arm hub.

Pressing in new one:

on-ramp · 05-09-2004, 06:07 AM

thanks...any special tools required to take old one out and press new ones in?

beepbeep · 05-09-2004, 06:25 AM

Yepp, you would probably need a slide-hammer to pull the hub out and a hydraulic press to press in/out the bearing.

Sway-arm needs to come out for this.

Note that 930 and SC/Carrera have different style of bearings and you're not saying your type of car. I suppose it's a Carrera as its a Carrera axle on your pic.

on-ramp · 06:31 AM

it's an 83 sc.....i know of a machine shop that has a hydr. press but how difficult is it to remove the sway-arm?.... special tools required?

i see you have it there in your pic.

Vipergrün · 05-09-2004, 08:27 AM

No, you do not have to remove the trailing arm to do this, nor do you need a press. Sure that makes the job easier, but is not required. Just depends on your skills and willingness to dive in. Unless you have a press and slide hammer, the job will be nearly as difficult regardless of the trailing arm being removed...or not.

For bearing race removal, I made a tool out of threaded rod, some really large washers, nuts, and 4" -> 2" cast iron pipe reducer found at Home Depot. The 4" side of the reducer sits against the trailing arm and allows the race to be received into it as you draw it out turning the nuts on the threaded rod.

For new bearning installation, just used the old race and a hammer to tap the new one in. It's a very tight fit, must get the bearing started straight. Freezing the new bearing helps.

Do a search, a lot of us have been thru this hell before

-B

on-ramp · 05-09-2004, 08:36 AM

bb80sc

thanks for your input....very helpful. I will be interested to see a pic of that special tool that you made, if a pic is available.

I may need to duplicate your efforts very shortly and perform this task.

Grady Clay · 05-09-2004, 09:43 AM

EZ install, with the parking brake assembly, shock and sway bar off you can heat the trailing arm. 100C (212F) is more than enough. You must also put the bearings in your freezer or get some dry ice and cool for several hours.

Inspect the bore in the trailing arm for any damage or corrosion. Clean up the surfaces as necessary. I put a swipe of Marvel Mystery oil on both surfaces as corrosion protection. Any excess will squeeze out. The cold bearing will slip right in the hot arm. The installation must go quickly as the parts will equalize in temperature remarkably fast.

Never tap, bang, etc. on the inner race of a new bearing. It’s Ok to carefully use a punch (brass preferable) on the outer race, just don’t damage the parts.

Best,
Grady

kach22i · kach22i's Garage

Can you squirt in bearing grease with a grease gun without taking the brakes off?

I hear a squeeky wheel (rear) that's asking for grease.

Grady Clay · 05-09-2004, 10:07 AM

kach22i,

No, the rear bearings are “sealed for life” type. Can you modify the bearing and arm to permit greasing? You bet, anything is possible with the right lubricant - - money. It’s not worth the effort, just replace the bearings periodically - say every decade or so.

Best,
Grady

kach22i · kach22i's Garage

Thanks for the information, just trying to avoid shop time.

rbcsaver · 05-13-2004, 07:13 PM

I have an 84 Carrera with 128K miles. New to me in 1995. As far as I know, the rear bearings are original. I have an appointment Monday to re-level (left side is 1" higher than right side) the car and do an alignment . I am finishing up the front ball joints, solving the Pagid causing pseudo-warped rotor syndrome and install of new front bearings.

A few years ago I bought new rear bearings but never had them installed. I have asked the dealer for an install cost. Should I do this just because the car has 128K miles? What is the expected life of a wheel bearing. I do not currently have a press, though I do have access. Could I do this myself? Should I wait for a failure of the existing ones?
regards,
Steve

on-ramp · 05-13-2004, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rbcsaver
I have an 84 Carrera with 128K miles. New to me in 1995. As far as I know, the rear bearings are original. I have an appointment Monday to re-level (left side is 1" higher than right side) the car and do an alignment . I am finishing up the front ball joints, solving the Pagid causing pseudo-warped rotor syndrome and install of new front bearings.

A few years ago I bought new rear bearings but never had them installed. I have asked the dealer for an install cost. Should I do this just because the car has 128K miles? What is the expected life of a wheel bearing. I do not currently have a press, though I do have access. Could I do this myself? Should I wait for a failure of the existing ones?
regards,
Steve

you can't drive the car with a failed wheel bearing (not very far anyway).

warning signs are loud metallic moaning sounds from the front.
when the bearing finally gives, you will hear a swirling metallic sound that will get progressively worse.

when this happened to me (wheel bearing failure), i was able to drive the car for another
30-40 miles before the steering wheel started to shake violently.

rbcsaver · 05-13-2004, 07:23 PM

on-ramp,
Thanks for the prompt reply.

I am referring to the rear bearings in which I havn't any evidence of failure. Just wondering about preventative, and is it worth the money spent, can I dio it myself, etc... please see my first post.
regards,
Steve

on-ramp · 05-13-2004, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rbcsaver
on-ramp,
Thanks for the prompt reply.

I am referring to the rear bearings in which I havn't any evidence of failure. Just wondering about preventative, and is it worth the money spent, can I dio it myself, etc... please see my first post.
regards,
Steve

oh yeah...in that case, i'd like to know as well since i believe my rear wheel bearing are also original and the car has 150+K miles on it.

Todd Simpson · 05-13-2004, 07:39 PM

Steve-I've heard several times the rear bearings will last a few hundred miles as they go bad, rumbling at lower speeds and humming on the highway. My experience was the same, I had plenty of notice and got home OK before they needed to be done.

I borrowed the tools from a friend. I'll second that you need to be careful putting everything together. I put minor pressure on the inner race as part of the install and immediately trashed a brand new bearing.

Felt great when it was all done but it took a while...my trailing arms at the time were steel, so rust made the job a little tougher. It should be easier on an newer car like yours with Al arms.

Cerbin · 05-14-2004, 10:46 AM

I am the process of trying to get the races out and off the rear of my 1970 as we speak. BBsc80, if you or anyone could post a pic of your homemade tool that would be sweet.

Thanks
Patrick