Wheel bearing
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: Auburn ca
Wheel bearing
I am gettin a noise from the right rear wheel. I beleive it is a wheel bearing. I jacked the car up and the right wheel has a little slop or slight wiggle. The left rear is firm. Would I be correct?. If so, how hard is it to change. As simple as any other car?
Racer
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Texas
Re: Wheel bearing (jtfrog)
Run a search. There have been a number of responses to this question and some have the details. It's not hard to do. You'll find a thread somewhere in the forum covering it. You do have to change the whole hub. It somes as a sealed unit.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,818
Likes: 2
From: Alive and well in Burlington NC
Re: Wheel bearing (jtfrog)
Yes, the hub is a sealed unit and is replaced not serviced. You will need some special tools to accomplish the swap - a 36mm socket (I think, check your manual) for the large nut on the hub and a #50 torx socket (again, double-check the manual for size) to remove the three bolts from the back of the assembly. Not too bad of a job, however you may need to drop the half shaft to get a good grip on those bolts. A good time to check the "U" joints, also. Did the DS last year and now my PS is a little loose. Another winter project.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 983
Likes: 1
From: Bergen County NJ
Re: Wheel bearing (Steel Blue 91)
I believe that the torx is #55.
I also did my DS rear a few months ago, without having to remove the halfshaft. With the car on jack stands and all the suspension linkage in the way, it was hard to get to leverage on the ratchet to break the torx bolts loose. Soaking the bolts ahead of time with a good rust penetrant makes the job go easier. You'll also need a torque wrench that can go to at least 175 ft-lbs to get the spindle nut back on to the correct value. The factory spec is 164 ft-lbs, but there's a lot of debate about the virtues of going higher. Do a search if you're interested in the details.
I also did my DS rear a few months ago, without having to remove the halfshaft. With the car on jack stands and all the suspension linkage in the way, it was hard to get to leverage on the ratchet to break the torx bolts loose. Soaking the bolts ahead of time with a good rust penetrant makes the job go easier. You'll also need a torque wrench that can go to at least 175 ft-lbs to get the spindle nut back on to the correct value. The factory spec is 164 ft-lbs, but there's a lot of debate about the virtues of going higher. Do a search if you're interested in the details.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 30
From: Oak Harbor WA
Re: Wheel bearing (sraft)
Pepboys sells these units with a warranty for $140. Most of them are the same brand as ACDelco, so don't let a dealer doink you for it. I've done both of mine and it isn't too hard, but it can be.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 729
Likes: 4
From: Yukon OK
Re: Wheel bearing (Goody)
You might be able to do it without dropping the half shaft, but heck why not change the u-joints while you are at it? Makes it MUCH easier to get to the torx bolts and if the bearing is bad the u-joints won't be far behind. Besides they are only about $9 each.
Have my left side apart right now. Swapped the u-joints and doing a clean-up and reassembly tomorrow morning.
I dropped the bottom dog bone, shock and spring. Left everything else connected.
Have my left side apart right now. Swapped the u-joints and doing a clean-up and reassembly tomorrow morning.
I dropped the bottom dog bone, shock and spring. Left everything else connected.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: Auburn ca
Re: Wheel bearing (AGENT 86)
I just picked up my hub assembly from pep boys. It has a gear on the back side, is this right. Does the half shaft drive this gear. I am abought to start and want to make sure they gave me the right one
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,322
Likes: 248
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Re: Wheel bearing (jtfrog)
I just picked up my hub assembly from pep boys. It has a gear on the back side, is this right. Does the half shaft drive this gear. I am abought to start and want to make sure they gave me the right one
What does this gear look like ?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,322
Likes: 248
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Re: Wheel bearing (Goody)
That is the inductor ring for the ABS sensor. Sensor is located on back half of knuckle assy held in place with one 10mm bolt.
The rear should not come with this,at least not on my 86.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: Auburn ca
Re: Wheel bearing (AGENT 86)
Whell, pepboys missed the part number by one didget. I had to drive back 40 miles to retun the part for the right one. Went to dealer to get bulb 882 for dash and they quoted my 28.00 each :lolg: So i went to Kragen were they were suppose to be 8.00 but they gave them to me for 0.33 each :) There mistake, So the day was not a total loss
[Modified by jtfrog, 2:50 AM 9/7/2003]
[Modified by jtfrog, 2:51 AM 9/7/2003]
[Modified by jtfrog, 2:50 AM 9/7/2003]
[Modified by jtfrog, 2:51 AM 9/7/2003]
Instructor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: San Jose CA
Re: Wheel bearing (jtfrog)
1) If your rear wheel bearing is tight it may not be the bearing but the U-joint. Usually a bad U-joint clicks at slow speed.
2) You can replace the rear bearing on jack stands without removing anything. Rotate the axle to get access to each Torx bolt. Use a Torx socket on a 3/8" drive with 3/8" extensions and a 1/2" drive breaker bar. Make SURE the torx bolts are clean and the socket is fully seated.
3) If you can't get the 36mm nut off the axle shaft you're screwed. Its cold welded itself in place, not uncommon. If thats the case your going to have to Dremel the nut off to remove the axle which means a new axle. Use a long breaker bar and extension. If it is hard to turn with a long braker bar extension, get out the Dremel. If it comes off easy the bearing is shot.
4) The PEP boys bearings are make by Chicago Rawhide (SKF bearing) and not the same as Delco units. They are a much better value than the GM ones as they have a limited lifetime warranty and cost half as much. :hurray: :hurray:
2) You can replace the rear bearing on jack stands without removing anything. Rotate the axle to get access to each Torx bolt. Use a Torx socket on a 3/8" drive with 3/8" extensions and a 1/2" drive breaker bar. Make SURE the torx bolts are clean and the socket is fully seated.
3) If you can't get the 36mm nut off the axle shaft you're screwed. Its cold welded itself in place, not uncommon. If thats the case your going to have to Dremel the nut off to remove the axle which means a new axle. Use a long breaker bar and extension. If it is hard to turn with a long braker bar extension, get out the Dremel. If it comes off easy the bearing is shot.
4) The PEP boys bearings are make by Chicago Rawhide (SKF bearing) and not the same as Delco units. They are a much better value than the GM ones as they have a limited lifetime warranty and cost half as much. :hurray: :hurray:
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: Auburn ca
Re: Wheel bearing (jtfrog)
Started hearing a click while shifting into drive and reverse after two days. Shoul I re-torque the bolts or do you think its the u joints in the half shaft. They seem to be tight