Rear wheel bearings
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
From: San Jose CA
Rear wheel bearings
I think I need to replace my rear wheel bearings. How tough a job is it? Is it something better left for a shop to do? Looks like a lot has to be pulled off to get to the bearings. Who's done it themselves? How many hours did it take you? Sorry for all the questions. My car is an '82 by the way. Thanks in advance!
Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 738
Likes: 9
From: Fallbrook CA
Lots of info on that topic in "Trailing Arm Rebuild" threads. I think a thread is active right now. It's a PIA to do yourself but possible. Van Steel is the way to go as for as pulling the TA's yourself and send them in for rebuild. That seems to be a popular choice.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Its not all that tough and there is quite a bit of stuff to remove to get to them. However, it is a very exacting project. If you have tools, skills and time, remove then abd send the hubs to someone trustworthy, There are a couple members in here that provide that service if you ask nice. There are also a couple supporting vendors that do them. I used one of the members for the machine work, but did all the rest myself. Do an advanced search and you will find GTR1999's threads on TA rebuild.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
I did my own, but probably would have Van Steel do it if I had it to do again. If you do your own, search for US made bearings. AutoZone carries Timkin and CarQuest carries BCA. You have to have a dial indicator with stand and a lot of patience. Not an impossible job, but takes a bit of time. One of mine had the right shims the first try, the second one took 3-4 tries to get right.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,071
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Best bet is to just exchange em with vansteel. Personally, I'd just exchange the whole trailing arm and save yourself some time. It's a pain in the butt even for shops with all of the tools. The amount of time you save by just doing the whole trailing arm is worth the cost, in my opinion. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,029
Likes: 94
From: meraux LA
Best bet is to just exchange em with vansteel. Personally, I'd just exchange the whole trailing arm and save yourself some time. It's a pain in the butt even for shops with all of the tools. The amount of time you save by just doing the whole trailing arm is worth the cost, in my opinion.
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