JohnA944

I want to know what is the easiest way to replace the right rear wheel bearing in my 88 N/A. I know i need a bearing puller and an 8mm cheesehead (I dont know if i have seen one of these).

This is something I need done by the end of this weekend.

Also I need to know what type and weight oil to use in the transaxle. Gonna replace since i have no idea when it was last done.

Hawk36

Clark's Garage has all the info you need to do the job. Great site.
Good luck, I hear they can be a pain.

http://www.clarks-garage.com/shop-ma...ure-index3.htm

JohnA944

Yeah I read that article. Well it seems that the slide hammer bearing puller is out of the question. Is there any alternative? I figure if you have to knock the hub out from the inside that u could do the same with the bearing. The only problem with that would be scarring the inside of the trailing arm.

I am just open for suggestions from folks that have performed this work. Also I am unclear about the cheesehead bolt . Is this a 12 point star head type bolt?

jason952

You need an autozone near you. I was able to get all the stuff there. They have a set of 3or 4 cheesehead metric sockets they sell in a set, get those. They also have a loaner tool program. I used the bearing race set and the slide hammer. Once you get everything apart (axle nut off, car on stands, caliper and disc off, CV axle out) you can use a 1/2 long bolt and washers and a nut as a press, using the appropriate sizes of race driver. HEAT up the trailing arm with a torch. For like 4 minutes, get it HOT. the aluminum will expand more than the bearing and get easier to pull out. I also used the slide hammer and a race to pull it out towards the end.

Once you get that far and get it out, you gotta press in the new bearing. Freeze the bearing, put it in there now so its real cold. Heat is good here on the arm too. then reverse the process with the bolt and race drivers, As you tighten the nut and bolt, the bearing slides, popping as it goes, pretty loud since it echoes in the hollow trailing arm. It's a pain, but doable:


This shows my made up press with the nut/bolt and race drivers. the large thing in the middle is the body of the bearing, the thing that is the b#cth to get out.

Here is the same type setup, but with the slide hammer, note that I had to ge get the right nut for the slide hammer, then "modify" the hole in the race driver so that it was a bit bigger to allow the hammer rod through:



Also, to get the old outside race off the hub (if your came apart this way) I used a 3 jaw puller, you can rent these also.



Good luck, remember, heat is your friend, let us know what's up

Jason

jason952

Yes, like a torx, but with more points, also called triple square. They won't know what you're talking about at the store...

Zero10

They never know what they are, since so few people need them. Usually you have to get somebody who has been at the store a long time.

I had 3 stores try to sell me torx bits as the same thing, fools.

ERAU-944

its called an 8mm serrated wrench. every napa has them in stock. on their service tools tree. about $6 iirc.

-Michael-

JohnA944

ahh this sounds like a real nice job.

Unfortunately I dont have an autozone near me. and Advance doesn't rent tools. I ordered the bearing from Automobile Atlanta and is supposed to be in tommorrow around noon. $63 and some change not including tax.

I am trying to figure out what to do about replacing this thing. I guess ill drive back to Atlanta tommorrow and go to a friend of mine house to do the work. I am just scared the damn whell will fall off now I kow what this sound actually is. I thought it was the ****ty tires on the back, but nooo it has to be this.

I hope this car will make it back to Atlanta I think it will.

ERAU-944

we drove on our 85.5 with a bad wheel bearing, it was making noise for a LONG time, the wheel was NEVER in danger of falling off. the only danger is heating up the bearing enough to damage the shaft or a-arm. we drove our car for a long time, and it never damaged it. don't worry about it. just go, and change it out, and enjoy your car

-Michael-

JohnA944

Thanks ERAU i didnt know for sure. I am accustomed to domestic cars that have those types of problems (I.E wheel falling off ) due to worn wheel bearings.

ERAU-944

hehe no problem. these cars are VERY rugged. theres plenty on there to keep the wheel secure. trust me you'll have quite a time prying everything apart even with the shot bearing. i found it kind of fun to shift the weight of the car around and make the noise get better/worse. i cant do it anymore since we fixed it. but yeah, lots of heat, and freeze the bearing before you put it in, and heat up the arm , you'll have no problemo.

goodnight!
-Michael-

JohnA944

well no one answered the second part of my question what weight gear oil do i need?

ERAU-944

hmm not sure exactly. i used SWEPCO 201 graphite gear lube in our 83 and my 84. worked WONDERS for noise and smoothed out the shifting, esp the 1-2 shift. not sure what weight it is, but it works very well.

-Michael-

jason952

Looks like there is an autozone in:
18miles SW
206 Manhattan
Americus, GA 31709
(229) 931-0801

Getting those tools is worth that trip, esp if you have another car to make it in. The Cheesehead is also called a VW tool, since it used on their clutches too.

They sell, Mobil one 75W90 synth gear lube, I use that.
In general, www.paragon-products.com is a great place to get parts, better, IMO, than the one you used.

How do you know it's bad? uneven disc wear? does the wheel move in and out when you shake it?

Jason

Silverbullet951

What about the wheel bearing puller kit from paragon?

http://www.smartcart.com/Paragon/cgi...item_num=ST90P