My mom's CRX needs a new right front wheel bearing and we were going to do it ourselves. Just thought I would ask around to see if anyone has any tips on what to do or not to do. The thing sounds like a POD racers, which is kind of fun cause that's my handle.

 

The wheel bearings have to be pressed in and out. When i put new ones in, I pulled the front spindles, bought a set of new bearings, and took them to a machine shop to have them pressed in.

 

Did that save you a lot of money doing the other stuff yourself?
And did you run into any other problems taking the spindle off?
Did the machine shop do all the work with the bearings then (taking the old one off and pressing the new ones on)???

Thank you I really appreciate the information!

 

Thanks anyways HF2ZC!

 

Sorry i didn't see your reply. I think it saved me a decent amount of money, but i'm not really sure how much. As far as taking the spindle off, you have to remove the axles from it, so you will need a 32mm socket and a long extension. You will also need a picklefork to remove the spindle from the suspension arms. Get new cotter pins to replace the ones you remove. As far as the machine shop, i brought them the complete spindle and the bearings, and they pressed the old ones out and pressed the new ones in. I also had them put new ball joints on.

 

you dont NEED a picklefork. you can do it with a hammer. hit the metal where the ball joint is pressed in and it will knock it loose. its common and i have seen many mechanics do this. it wont hurt the knuckle.

make sure you replace the cotter pins , i learned the hard way.

 

Sounds like I am going to have to get in there and look at it all. Never had to remove a spindle before. Thanks for the comments and suggestions

 

....this is an easy process....

here's how (for fronts only):
1. jack car up and remove wheel
2. remove axle nut
3. remove brakes and accompanying hardwear
4. unbolt lower ball joint, tie rod, and upper ball joint (watch out as it's gonna fall)
5. place the knuckle on work bench and get out BF Hammer
6. place the hub towards the work bench, elevating the knuckle so the hub has room to be hammered out.
7. Get a socket that is exactly the same size as the hub shaft, and hammer away. If you're good, it'll take a good 2 or 3 whacks
8. Remove the c-clip from the same side you were just hammering on
9. using another big *** socket (i believe i used the axle nut socket.) and hammer out the wheel bearing. if you don't have a big enough socket, just use a big common screwdriver...
10. using a thick piece of steel metal in a square, hammer the NEW wheel bearing into the knuckle.
11. reinstall the c-clip for the wheel bearing.
12. Here's the hard part, take the hub to a shop with a press and get the inner race pressed off the hub... they'll charge ya like $10. KEEP THE INNER RACE !!!!
13. once home, flip the knuckle and place the old inner race under the NEW inner race so when you're hammering the hub in, the inner race doesn't pop out.
14. hammer the hub back in, using a socket.
15. reinstall the knuckle.


total time- 1hr

I've done this several times, and i haven't had any problems.

 

Wow, step by step Thanks. I will have to post once we've done it. It will probably be a little later when I have time to go down and help her, but I will let you know how it goes.

Thanks