I went to get an alignment and I was told not to even drive the car until my wheel bearings and tie rods were replaced. They said drive it off a cliff because its that dangerous!

I plan to do this possibly tommorow as I have a road trip planned out, but I need some advice on how difficult this would be with just general tools. I have no clue as to what componets are, but I do all my own work. Ive swapped in a new tranny, replaced my timing belt ect by myself.

If someone can point me to a diagram or just give me a heads up on how complicated and pros and cons of doing it by myself would be, Id appreciatte it.

BTW- I've heard the terms over and over, but what exactly does the rack & pinion do, as well as tie rods?? And wheres the best place to purchase these items?
Thanks

 

Tie rods are easy to replace and you can do them yourself. Are they the inner or outer? You can get tie rods at any local parts place. Just make sure you get the car aligned after you get it done cause it is the right thing to do.

As far as the wheel bearings they will need pressed out and in. I am unsure if you have a press but that maybe something you want a professional to do.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CRX Toad &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Tie rods are easy to replace and you can do them yourself. Are they the inner or outer? You can get tie rods at any local parts place. Just make sure you get the car aligned after you get it done cause it is the right thing to do.

As far as the wheel bearings they will need pressed out and in. I am unsure if you have a press but that maybe something you want a professional to do.</TD></TR></TABLE>

What he said. Front wheel bearings are a PITA. I did my front left a few weeks ago. You also need a GOOD set of snap ring pliers, I had to buy a new pair when I did mine. Tie rods, are simple, and rear wheel bearings are simple.

 

yep tie rods are easy, front wheel bearings I paid to get done on mine. I think it was like $275 for both the front right and front left

 

Thanks guys!! Do you think it would be safe to just go ahead and buy brand new hubs with bearings from Oreilly for 65$ and be done with it??

No pressing, no snapping, just slide off old hub and put in new? I can get both hubs plus new outter tie rods for 225$ total and do the work myself? Sound like a deal??

 

ttt

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by drewboy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thanks guys!! Do you think it would be safe to just go ahead and buy brand new hubs with bearings from Oreilly for 65$ and be done with it??

No pressing, no snapping, just slide off old hub and put in new? I can get both hubs plus new outter tie rods for 225$ total and do the work myself? Sound like a deal??</TD></TR></TABLE>

The hubs are pressed into the wheel bearings, which are pressed into the spindle, I think your confused.

 

yeah i am confused, i dont know anything about suspension, hah.

 

not to put you down or anything but based on what I've read from your posts you don't have a clue when it comes to suspension work so i recommend you to take your car to a front end shop and have it done professionally

 

A lower cost alternative to getting new front wheel bearings is to find a good set of hub/knuckle assemblies at a salvage yard. Try to find a pair with good, tight wheel bearings and balljoints. Also, try to find ones with intact balljoint boots. At a self-serve type yard, you could probably pick up a pair for around $40 or so - MUCH cheaper than getting wheel bearings replaced.

 

thanks guys! I was thinking about visiting an auto parts yard bt I dont know, with these type of parts wouldnt it be best just to purchase new?

I wish I had a diagram or layout of these parts, so I could put a part with a name and visualize what needs to be done.

 

I think its better to buy new. Doesnt the chilton have pictures?

 

im not sure if chiltons has pics or not, although I hear to stay away from chilton manuals. Is it really that difficult to remove a hub? Or do I need a press or something like that?

Only thing I can picture that will be most difficult is the axle nut.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by drewboy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">im not sure if chiltons has pics or not, although I hear to stay away from chilton manuals. Is it really that difficult to remove a hub? Or do I need a press or something like that?

Only thing I can picture that will be most difficult is the axle nut.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes you need a press.
Step 1: Remove spindle from car.
Step 2: Remove brake caliper and rotor.
Step 3: Press out hub from bearing.
Step 4: Remove snap ring from spindle under hub.
Step 5: Press out bearing from spindle.

Re-assemble in reverse order.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CRXBart &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Yes you need a press.
Step 1: Remove spindle from car.
Step 2: Remove brake caliper and rotor.
Step 3: Press out hub from bearing.
Step 4: Remove snap ring from spindle under hub.
Step 5: Press out bearing from spindle.

Re-assemble in reverse order. </TD></TR></TABLE>

You actually must ultilize a press 4 times, and last time I did it part of the race was stuck to the hub and I had to heat it with a torch and use two pry bars to get it off. Be ready for anything, these are a kinda time consuming, and annoying problems like that tend to pop up here and there.

 

Thanks CRX bart, quick question... Can I buy a press at any auto parts store and do you reccomend buying an all new hub assembly from Oreilly??

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by drewboy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thanks CRX bart, quick question... Can I buy a press at any auto parts store and do you reccomend buying an all new hub assembly from Oreilly?? </TD></TR></TABLE>

By hub asssembly do you mean spindle because the hub still needs pressed. Any 12-20ton press should suffice.