Pressing front wheel bearings

[nightfire]

Hey guys,

Has anyone here ever pressed out their front wheel bearings? I have a 10-ton press, but I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to do it.

From the picture in the manual it looks like they want you to press from the rear of the hub, but I'm not sure what part I'm trying to dislodge. Should I be bracing against the front plate (where the lugs are)? Or do I need to brace the entire spindle/knuckle assembly and press a unit out that includes the wheel plate?

If I need to support the knuckle and press the whole unit (including studs and plate) out, what's the best way to support it? No spare metal piece I had would really do the trick. Is there an SST for it?

[Daninski]

I paid $40 bucks but they did destroy the disk covers. You have removed the strut/hub a--. right? Then mount it in your press.

[nightfire]

I paid $40 bucks but they did destroy the disk covers. You have removed the strut/hub a--. right? Then mount it in your press.

Hey Dan.

Yeah the knuckle/spindle/whatever was sitting on my press. I just couldn't figure out a good way to press out the .. um.. whatever it's called assembly from the knuckle. I looked over the drawings again and I think I see how it's done. Need two big pieces of metal to act as a brace. I'll take another shot after I move into my new building.

[wytbishop]

The inner race of the wheel gearing presses onto the hub. The outer race presses into the front steering knuckle. You press the hub out of the spindle. The inner race of the bearing may or may not come out with the hub. If it stays with the hub you'll have to use a grinder to grind through it and then break it with a chisel. Then you press the bearing outer race out of the spindle. To install you press the new bearing into the spindle and then press the hub into the inner race of the bearing.

Just be careful that everything is properly supported when you're pushing on stuff with the press and it'll all work out fine.

[krazysteve]

Hi, they look very much the same as my old ladys impreza, 1st time i did one it was a pig of a job. I made some packers and pressed it out in a vice, while heating the hub up. Refitting left the new bearing in the freezer for a few hours, warmed the hub up, it then slid in with a light tap to seat it. Had a cold damp rag ready to wrap around the hub when done. easy life!!!!

[nightfire]

Ya with wytbishop's description I think I've got it. All my tools are packed in boxes but as soon as I get settled at my new place I'll give it another shot.

[wytbishop]

The online manual also gives a pretty thorough description of the process.