![]() |
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: West of Seattle
Posts: 4,718
|
Rear Wheel Bearing removal ... help?
I'm trying to get the rear wheel bearings out of my '86, with no luck. I have the left side fully dismantled (Thanks to Superman, BTW), and I'm just trying to get the outer race out. I fabbed a bearing puller tool (based on descriptions from other threads on this topic) using bits of steel and PVC from the local hardware store. Several of the threads I've read say "If you feel like you're using a lot of force, you're doing something wrong -- it should just pop out." Well ... I'm using a lot of force. I just pulled apart a piece of 3/8" galvanized steel. The inside washer (steel) has bent repeatedly. What am I doing wrong?
a - I'm 99% sure I'm pulling on the right point on the inside -- to make sure that I was catching the outer race and not the trailing arm, I picked a washer that catches the ridge at the middle of the race. I know that's bearing, not trailing arm. b - I've tried heat, knowing that Al expands 3x as much as steel under heat. No joy. c - Also tried PB Blaster, not like that would make any difference. d - Also tried tapping on the threaded rod with the biggest hammer I can squeeze into that space. No joy. ![]()
__________________
'86 911 (RIP March '05) '17 Subaru CrossTrek '99 911 (Adopt an unloved 996 from your local shelter today!) |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Allentown, PA
Posts: 406
|
When I did mine, let me tell you, it took some force. I also used some home-made tool concocted of various hardware store parts. Once it starts moving, then things go more smoothly. I bent a few things, and torqued some others trying to get that sucker to initially break loose, then it almost pops. I thought I broke something, but then it started moving. It's a good feeling.
This was one of the first things I tackled when I got my '87. It's not an easy job. I don't know if you can post a pic of the bearing puller you made and how it's set up, but then guys can chime in to let you know for sure if you got it right.
__________________
Josh '87 911 Carrera 3.2 Coupe |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: West of Seattle
Posts: 4,718
|
Thanks for the encouragement. In that case, I'll just bend more stuff. I'm pretty sure I'm doing it right, but I just feel like I'm putting a whole lot of force into it. What kind of parts did you use for your home-made bearing puller doodad?
Sorry, I can't post pictures -- my camera is out for repair, and it isn't even digital. ![]() Dan
__________________
'86 911 (RIP March '05) '17 Subaru CrossTrek '99 911 (Adopt an unloved 996 from your local shelter today!) |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Allentown, PA
Posts: 406
|
I keep stuff laying around for some reason (not really sure why). You can see what I did to the washer.
![]() ![]() I ground down the diameter of the round pieces so they were the perfect size for pushing/pulling the bearings in/out. Hope this helps in some way. It took a few trips to the hardware store to get the right array of pieces.
__________________
Josh '87 911 Carrera 3.2 Coupe |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: West of Seattle
Posts: 4,718
|
That's very encouraging -- I'm using an almost identical collection of parts. I just bent one of those galvanized floor flange things.
... but now that I'm looking at your tool, I'm not sure I'm pulling in the right spot. Was your bearing all in one piece, and you were pulling against the inner race?
__________________
'86 911 (RIP March '05) '17 Subaru CrossTrek '99 911 (Adopt an unloved 996 from your local shelter today!) |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Allentown, PA
Posts: 406
|
I'm pretty sure sure my inner race came out when I removed the hub. It attached itself on there pretty good. I really can't remember what everything looked like exactly, but I think I was pulling on the outer race when removing the bearing form the trailing arm. I had one of the flange things on the inside of the trailing arm. I drilled a hole (big enough so the bearing could slide into it) in a piece of wood (maybe a 2" X 6") and put that on the outside of the trailing arm, then another flange. So basically I was pulling the bearing out of the trailing arm into a hole in a piece of wood.
From the inside out it went: nut-washer-flange-bearing-wood-flange-washer-nut. And of course threaded rod through the everything. The wood was nice because it kept form marring up trailing arm, although it barely made it though each extraction due to the amount of force I had to use (pretty much crumbling apart, pvc might be better here). I had to make a new one for the other side after finshing the first. That picture is not necessarily how it was set-up. Those are just some of the parts I used. If any of this makes sense, you have excellent reading comprehension.
__________________
Josh '87 911 Carrera 3.2 Coupe |
||
![]() |
|
![]() |
Registered
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: West of Seattle
Posts: 4,718
|
If any of this makes sense, it's because I'm deeply involved in this very project, and I've already happened to stumble across a very similar setup. I understand your setup now, and I think tomorrow after work I can fix what I'm doing wrong -- I just don't have enough strong pieces involved in this thing, that's all.
![]() Thanks again, I'll let you know how it comes out. Dan
__________________
'86 911 (RIP March '05) '17 Subaru CrossTrek '99 911 (Adopt an unloved 996 from your local shelter today!) |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Atlantic Beach, NY
Posts: 317
|
How about stacking 2,3 or even 4 washers on the end so they won't bend? Maybe that will help strengthen the setup.
__________________
Mike 1986 930 |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
|
It might help to know that the inner bearing and seal should come out from the inside and the outer bearing should come out of the outside of the trailing arm. Are you trying to pull the inner bearing out through the trailing arm?
__________________
Norm '86 930 AEM Infinity 6 - Twin Plug 3.6L - DBW - JE Pistons/LN Eng. Cylinders - Pauter rods - GT3 Crank - GTX3584RS - ID1050x Injectors - Ported Intakes - Custom Intake Manifold, exhaust and intercooler - 993SS cams - ECUMASTER PMU-16DL HRE Wheels 560R 8.5x18 ET25 (Front) 11x18 ET0 (Rear) |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: West of Seattle
Posts: 4,718
|
Mike -- that is, coincidentally, exactly my train of thought. I'll stack two big steel flange doodads on the outside, and put 3-4 washers thick on the inside. That oughta do it ...
Norm -- I could be trying to pull the inner bearing through the outside. I thought that the bearings shared a one-piece outer race? Where does the inner race divide from the outer race? How do I apply force to only one? And how do I pull out the inside race? ![]() ![]() ![]() Thanks, Dan
__________________
'86 911 (RIP March '05) '17 Subaru CrossTrek '99 911 (Adopt an unloved 996 from your local shelter today!) |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: West of Seattle
Posts: 4,718
|
Ok, let me make sure I'm totally clear on this:
Part #13 (bearing cover) is off. Parts #11 and #12 (seals) came off the outside and inside, respectively. Parts #8 and #9 are the balls and cages -- both removed easily, each out their own side. Part #10 is the inner bearing race, which stayed with the wheel hub when it came out. It was separated into two pieces -- I don't know if that's normal, but it looked like it was manufactured that way. Part #7 is still in the trailing arm. It has a ridge around the middle that the ball/cage pieces press up against. It is this ridge that I am pulling against, in the outwards direction. I am currently applying as much force as I can get on that thing with my 16" pipe wrenches. I've doubled up the steel at both ends of the threaded rod, so nothing is bending (much) anymore. I've also tried tapping the inboard end of the threaded rod with a hammer to try and provide the shock-impetus to get it started. Am I doing something wrong? Someone who's done this before and knows how that race comes out, please confirm that I'm not pulling on the wrong place? ![]()
__________________
'86 911 (RIP March '05) '17 Subaru CrossTrek '99 911 (Adopt an unloved 996 from your local shelter today!) |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: West of Seattle
Posts: 4,718
|
Got it! I am now officially "someone who has done this before." (whew) For posterity, it's important to note that that outer race meets against a lip on the inside of the trailing arm. It can't go out to the inside, and you can't pull against the outer diameter of the bearing, 'coz it isn't really bearing there, it's trailing arm.
Now for the other side... Dan
__________________
'86 911 (RIP March '05) '17 Subaru CrossTrek '99 911 (Adopt an unloved 996 from your local shelter today!) |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Allentown, PA
Posts: 406
|
Glad to hear that Dan.
I got confused when Norm started talking about bearing parts coming out on the inside. I see now he has a 930, which has a different rear wheel bearing set-up (actually 2 bearings, inner and outer). Make it easier on yourself and throw those new bearing in the freezer overnight. It's a bit tricky to keep them square with the trailing arm when you first start pressing them in. But they will go in easier than the old ones came out.
__________________
Josh '87 911 Carrera 3.2 Coupe |
||
![]() |
|