Wheel bearing tools question

Zach · Post by **Zach** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 1:20 pm

Just a quick question - will be doing my front wheel bearings in the next few days, and am curious if the special tools indicated in the scanned '85 manual are absolutely necessary, or if my normal box of tools will get me through.

Also - any special tips?

Zach

Post by **ARCHINSTL** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 2:02 pm

Did you do a Search for "wheel bearings"?
It seems that there were a number of threads which included this topic in the posts.
Tom M.

Zach · Post by **Zach** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 3:02 pm

Yes, I did, and the first page or two were all tangentially related to my question, but I didn't come across an answer, after searching 'wheel bearings', 'wheel bearing', '"wheel bearing"' and '"wheel bearings"'.

Guess I'll search again.

Success. Thanks, or no thanks. I'm not sure.

keith · Post by **keith** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 5:32 pm

The 86 used two different wheel bearings, one sealed and one non sealed. They are interchangeable and I think most of the replacements are non sealed so be sure to buy new seals for it. You need the normal hand tools and a ball joint puller or some type of two jaw puller. I do not recommend a pickle fork but it would work. You will also need access to a 20 ton or larger press. The bearings have to be pressed out and in. I tried the freeze the bearing and heat the hub trick but it doesn't work. Its best to just push out the old and push in the new with a press.

Since you have to pull the lower ball joint to do this job, you may want to replace it too. You also have to separate the outer tie rod from the hub so you may want to consider this also, but beware if you do, you could mess up the alignment if you remove the tie rod. If you do decided to do this, realignment is easy. I do my own with a 2x4 and a pencil. If I feel the need to change the camber, then I use a bubble level too.

Zach · Post by **Zach** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 6:01 pm

Thanks Keith - I've got a friend with a press - guess I need to go talk to him.

I picked up a couple of ball joints and seals with the bearings, though didn't want to drop another $100 for tie rods unless I knew I needed them (what are they made of, unobtanium? Guess it's a very model specific part!)

Cheers,
Zach

keith · Post by **keith** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 7:15 pm

I paid about $17 ea. After over 300k, the only reason I had to replace them on one side was because the inner and outer "froze" together and I couldn't align the front end. Ball joints were good too, but since I was changing the bearings, I did them too.

Zach · Post by **Zach** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 10:53 pm

Where did you get them for $17? All of the online places I've seen thus far want arm+leg for the outer ties. Hmm.
zach

takza · Post by **takza** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 4:35 am

keith wrote: I do my own with a 2x4 and a pencil. If I feel the need to change the camber, then I use a bubble level too.

viewtopic.php?t=111

How about a writeup in the Repair section on your method?

.....something I'm interested in.

keith · Post by **keith** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 6:18 pm

OK, its on my todo list. I'm a little pressed for time tonight

shogun · Post by **shogun** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 12:00 pm

hydraulic press 30mm cup, and nothing else special

Tercel4WD.com

Wheel bearing tools question

Wheel bearing tools question

Yes, I did search.

Only $17?