Wheel Bearing Mahem- What would you do?

[charlesbahn]

Finally got around to investigating the grinding noise from my left rear wheel- 1st thought was wheel bearing, second was CV joint- so here it is-








So obviously it's the wheel bearing. So, if it ain't broke, should I also redo the right side?

[DUK]

I would say yes go ahead and change the other side. But if money is tight and you don't feel too much play or hear anything with the other side, leave it for now.

Looks to me like the bearing took a shock at some time. Did you hit a curb or something with this side?

BTW- what year is the car?

[TimT]

So obviously it's the wheel bearing. So, if it ain't broke, should I also redo the right side?

YES...The right side could let go the day after you finish the left side... or it could go for another 50K miles...

Is that a chance you want to take?

[charlesbahn]

No, didn't hit hit anything was just clicking along thinking how great life was with such a nice car - then a "bang" and a rubbing noise that got louder and louder, and then a little shudder from the left rear. Then I shut her down and called AAA.

The car is a 1985 slant nose conversion with "turbo look" origin. Actually now also has a proto turbo.

Originally Posted by TimT

YES...The right side could let go the day after you finish the left side... or it could go for another 50K miles...

Is that a chance you want to take?

Naw, it's the only time I've had to be flatbedded home. Guess I'll do both. Uh-oh! now that I'm there, should I also do the front. i think I already know the answer!

Charles

P.S. Sorry for the crappy 2nd photo, at least the neighbor's yard was in focus.

[initial]

I did the right rear when I first purchased my 89 2.5 years ago. I didn't do the left, but did store the bearing in the freezer to have it ready... The left has not yet showed any signs of weakness...

[juicersr]

The bearings are cheap. Unless u know that the other bearing was done recently, FIX IT TOO. I just replaced a noisy rt bearing and went ahead and did the left and saw that the grease was drying and it was gonna go soon too, so glad i did. Great to know u have one less thing to worry about. Plus, if u do it yourself, once u do one bearing, u have fresh in ur mind how to do the other side and it usually goes faster.

[juicersr]

PS, if u do the fronts (which are easier) do yourself a favor and take ur hubs to a shop to have the races pressed out and new ones pressed in, or u'll end up beating the hubs to hell.

[Green 912]

I bet the cage failed and the rollers bunched up. change them both if they are the same age. car jacked up, tools out and learning curve is 3/4 the job. You can remove the bering race that is on the hub by slitting it 4/5s the way through with a dremmel and cut off wheel then pop it open with a hammer hit on a sharp chisel.

[gsxrken]

Changing the turbo bearings is not a small job, unlike on the NA cars. Go in with the right attitude, go slow, and take the arms completely off and bring them to a very competent machinist. The aluminum arms are insanely expensive if you or the shop booger them up.