disc brake dust cover-what's the secret???

strupgolf · 05-16-2006, 05:56 PM

I'm changing a front wheel bearing on my 86 911 widebody. I see my dust cover and it looks different from the Haynes manual. Mine seems to fit in and under the hub. I cant get it off and see no way unless the entire hub is taken off. There is no way to get a screw driver on the inner edge and then pry it off. Any ideas on this would be helpful. Am I missing something? Thanks

Oh Haha · 05-16-2006, 06:33 PM

You should be able to tap around the circumference with a mallet or a hammer. I have used a drift to get it started. Some have also used a pair of Channel-locks and twisted it off.

strupgolf · 05-16-2006, 06:52 PM

I tapped around with a hammer, no luck,and tried a Channel-lock, again no luck. I'm used to other caps on other cars and they were easy to get off, but this one looks so different where I cant even see the end of the cap on the hub. I wish I had a picture. Its almost too big for a channel-lock, at least mine.

VaSteve · 05-16-2006, 07:19 PM

I had a similar issue on my 944 until I used a metal hammer to beat the screwdriver in place. Do a search on muffler clamps. Some guy here came up with a cool way of drawing that out.

VaSteve · 05-16-2006, 07:20 PM

Here you go... and from a guy with only 5 posts.

Removal of Dust Cap on Frt wheels bearings

Wil Ferch · 05:37 AM

All of these suggestions will NOT work for the original poster who has a widebody...the cap is recessed like a Turbo....

otherwise...VaSteve's linked post is the best method for the "rest" of us...

Turbos usually have a threaded nipple welded on the center of the dust cap....need a slide hammer to remove. Do a search on keywords like slide hammer and dust cap...

Try this for starters--> Help Removing rotors on 87 930

Also , look at "GoodMojo's" car here --> Trying to get front wheel bearing dust covers off*&^%!!

- Wil

strupgolf · 02:20 PM

Thanks Wil, those links are great. You're right, mine are recessed in and I cant get ANY thin screwdriver at all around to pry. I've got a vise-grip tool made for dust caps and I'll try that in a moment. What a PITA this has gotten to be. My car isnt a Turbo, so I dont know where these brake parts came from. Oh well, here goes. Just came in and my vise grips did'nt budge it at all. The cap is in so tight that after pulling and pulling, nothing at all.

strupgolf · 05-17-2006, 03:28 PM

Cover came off after a muffler clamp was put on. Just a few knocks and whalla. Now, anyone know the size of the allen screw holding the clamp on? I dont know why I cant seem to check the "search" button more often, I will from now on. Thanks all.

cbeers · 05-17-2006, 03:31 PM

Quote:

My car isnt a Turbo, so I dont know where these brake parts came from.

Your car has all of the Turbo brakes with the wide body package.
At least, that's how I have always understood it, never have owned a TL.....sigh

-Chris

Wil Ferch · 05-18-2006, 05:07 AM

Turbo Look...aka "Widebody" is equipped with Turbo suspension and brakes..... the recessed dust cap for instance, with the center threaded connection.

Not quite sure I follow you, strupgolf....how did a muffler clamp work for you if the cap is recessed????

- Wil

strupgolf · 05-18-2006, 12:39 PM

I got a 2" clamp, put it around the recessed part of the cap at the edge, then used a hammer and chissel, wedged between the clamp and the hub. A few bangs, turn, bang, turn, bang and it came off. Once I had it off, it looks just round and was really wedged in tight. It was not flared like I thought, but now I need to get the allen screw off. So here goes again.

Wil Ferch · 05-18-2006, 12:43 PM

I guess I just don't understand how you were able to get a clamp around the cap in the first place....being recessed, and all...

But...if you got it to work.... !

- Wil

rusnak · 05-18-2006, 12:55 PM

Porsche used to have a factory tool with retracting fingers that took off the dust cap.

I made a tool out of 3" steel pipe with three bolts threaded into it. I tighten the bolts, which clamp on to the dust cap. A handle welded to the bar is used to pull off the dust cap or whang it off with a few knocks with a plastic mallet.

I'll post pics and measurements if anyone wants em. It took about an hour to make with a mig welder and some spare metal.

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

Sounds like you have a widebodied car with normal brakes; I think the MXXX turbo body with a n/a engine was '88/'89, right?

strupgolf · 05-18-2006, 05:12 PM

I got the whole hub off tonight. The dust cover was just a cover. My brakes are nothing more than the original brakes, but I dont understand the recessed cover??? You ( I ) could not get a screwdriver in to wedge the cover off. The clamp, a 2", worked fine with a chissel, all I did was wedge a chisell in and PRY it out. That was easy. My outer bearing was bad, but the inner one I have'nt gotten out yet. I tried the tool that was like a Vise Grip, but it would not pull the dust cover off at all, and it was made for the job. the muffler clamp works fine. Wil, if you can imagine a muffler and a tailpipe, the clamp goes over the outlet and inlet. Now, put that clamp over the dust cover where the recessed part is and tighten it down. Then pound a chissel out from within and the cap came off fine. The oute bearing just showed a bad bearing, but it was good to get it off.

rusnak · 05-18-2006, 05:58 PM

The inner bearing can be tapped out with an extra long drift. I have a large container that looks like a cylinder. I put the hub on that lug side up, then tap the bearing out with a stubby drift that is about 2' long. The bearing and dust cap fall onto a bunch of wadded paper towels that I put in the bottom of the pipe shaped container.

Usually the bearing and inner dust seal can be re-used. I repack em with a cone shaped bearing packer and then put everything back together. Be sure not to mix brands of bearings and bearing races. I think it pays to go the extra mile and change all 4 bearings and races together each time.