Rear Wheel Bearings

[surreychris]

Hi All

I am planning to bite the bullet in the next week and finally change my rear wheel bearings as on has been making a humming sound for a while.

I was hoping to do the job myself as I am quite competent as a home mechanic.

Is there any special tools needed that may stop me doing this, or particular perils that I should be aware of?

Is it a relatively easy job?

Thanks

Chris

 

[Ian B Walker]

The job is far from easy unlike a front wheel bearing. You are going to have to enlist the services of a machine shop or a place that has a large hydraulic press. Unless you have the Mercedes tool for removing the bearing you are going to have to remove the hub complete from the car.

 

[tmaoahthfte]

Ian, would a 10 ton bench press be up to the job? I've been wondering about having a go at rear bearings on my car.

Bob

 

[surreychris]

Oh, thats not good news, and here was me thinking the use of a heavy vice might just do it.

not sure i want to remove the hub and mess with the driveshaft

have to give this more thought

Thanks
Chris

 

[Ian B Walker]

Ian, would a 10 ton bench press be up to the job? I've been wondering about having a go at rear bearings on my car.

Bob

It would depend on how much lift (height) you could get on the press. Also the physical size of the hub and backplate in the confines of your press. The hub, as a unit, it is larger than you think.

 

[Ian B Walker]

Oh, thats not good news, and here was me thinking the use of a heavy vice might just do it.

not sure i want to remove the hub and mess with the driveshaft

have to give this more thought

Thanks
Chris

Taking the hub off is not that difficult, time consuming yes. Its the removal and fitting of the bearing that is the hard work. The trickiest bit is fitting the hand brake shoes and mechanism after, I soooooo dislike them, so fiddley.

 

[ivanwhisker]

just pay to get them done front ones realy easy but rear ones a pain if you dont fit them properley and make sure tracking correct you will go through tyres like thers no tommorow