Wheel bearing time
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 106
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From: Dansville Michigan
Wheel bearing time
I'm starting to do the bearings. I've read everything I can find on the subject so far. Read the FAQ's on it and the 2 different manuals I have. Now I see where there is a tool being used and it looks like it's been fabricated to assist in the removal and install. What tools do I need to get this done, other than the obvious ones? 
Pro
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 677
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From: Cary North Carolina
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,404
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From: Redondo Beach, California
You can buy a triangle shapped tool to push out the rear wheel half axles. There is a danger that if the half axles are corroded at their interface with the rear wheel bearings, this tool will distort the brake caliper bracket. This triangle shapped tool uses the two caliper bracket holes for attachment and the lower fork of the hub casting as the other attachment point. If you have balky axles, the torque from this tool will bend the caliper bracket. I think Van Steel's catalog requests that you do not use this tool to remove the axles. Tom's Differential, who also did my rear wheel bearings has the same warning.
I wasn't aware of these warnings and did use the triagle shapped tool sold by corvette parts houses. Fortunately, my axles had no corrosion problem and I popped out the axels with only about 100 foot pounds of torque, which was apparently not enough to cause distortion. Several parts houses sell this tool. I wonder why none of them mention the danger that they can cause.
I wasn't aware of these warnings and did use the triagle shapped tool sold by corvette parts houses. Fortunately, my axles had no corrosion problem and I popped out the axels with only about 100 foot pounds of torque, which was apparently not enough to cause distortion. Several parts houses sell this tool. I wonder why none of them mention the danger that they can cause.
