Are the FSM a better book than the chiltons and such. I was looking and it seems you can just download them online, would any of you have a good trust worthy site to do this. I don't mind paying, but a free one is cool too.

 

Yes, the factory service manuals (by Helms Inc) are better than the Chilton/Haynes manuals. As for a link, try Helms Inc's official site. Posting links to illegally scanned pdf service manuals are against the rules here at H-T (unless they changed the rules in the past year or so).

 

i've seen some of the download-able manuals... i still bought a FSM from Helms because I prefer a physical book in the garage and other places, than to have to go back and forth to the computer flipping through PDF files. you may also find out the hard way that the free PDF manuals aren't 100% complete. if you're planning to keep the car a while and/or do involved stuff (with forethought and professionalism) the FSM is by far the best book to have.

 

The FSM is WAY better. My dad bought the PDF on a CD on ebay a few years ago and made it into a book for me for christmas (he's a printer). Probably could just download free though and have it printed at kinkos or something.

 

do they carry these books at the library? I found one online for free, but as you were saying some online might not be complete. The one I got is about 1400 pages, does that sound about right. I did not mind buying this, I would love to get a hard copy, so I guess I will go to ebay. Thanks guys.

also anyone know what pages this book talks about replacing the front wheel bearings?

 

You could check your local library, but it's probably a shot in the dark. As for the illegal ones that are online being complete or not, depends on the car and engine you're looking for. From my experience searching around, the illegal manuals from other countries outside of the N. American seems to be less complete than ones for N. American models. But then manuals from older models seem to be less complete as well, and then others are hit or miss. But then again, I've seen some different versions of certain manuals, where some seem pretty complete while others seem to be missing stuff. Yes, it's kind of confusing, and definitely hit or miss. Of course a legit copy will be complete. As for the ebay ones on disks, unless it's a rare one that you can't readily find in illegal form (unless they are directly from Helms they are illegal btw), they are the same manuals that people illegally download for free. So if you're going to spend money on one, I'd strongly suggest buying them directly from Helms Inc, or a legit used book.

As for the pages, it depends on what manual you get. There is at least 1 main manual for each generation ('92-'95, '96-'00, etc), but I've seen some that have more that 1 (ex. one that was '96-'98 and one that covered '96-'00). But it will be in the Suspension section, labeled as Hub Bearing. Taking a wild guess, I'm going to say section 18.