Is a front bearing replace EZ?

D

dsinclair

Registered
For those that recall my evil skills as a mechanic - I am trying to learn as I go.

I have replaced a pair of front shocks - and even a thermostat and a fuel filter.

I'm told I need to replace the front bearing "hub". I priced the part at $80 and the Goodyear store wants $230 for the entire job. (I assume this is only one side????)

Should I try to do this myself?
 
RE: Is a front bearing replace EZ?

Yes, do it yourself. I helped (watched) a friend do the hub on his thunderbird, and it was very easy with the right tools. I don't recall the exact procedure, but i can look it up on alldata later if you like (i have a meeting in 10 mins). special tools you need can be rented (borrowed) from autozone.
 
RE: Is a front bearing replace EZ?

Remove wheel and brake components, remove the dust cap over the center of the hub (which i found to be rather difficult). Then unbolt the old, remove it, bolt on the new, and put everything back together. Torque spec on the nut holding the hub on is 188-254 lb/ft, so basically as tight as you can get it (i don't think my impact would get it that tight). You may need a puller of some sort to get the actual hub off, alldata doesn't indicate that you need one but i seem to recall using a puller for it. I can help you out if you want, or if you don't want to do it yourself i'll do the labor for $50.
 
RE: Is a front bearing replace EZ?

yea it is an easy job. REplaced the drivers side on the red whore in about 1.5 hours.
 
RE: Is a front bearing replace EZ?

Thanks guys - and especially thanks Dave for the offer of help. I touched base with a friend that restores cars and he said he'd help out. He has a puller and a "big honkin" 3/4" socket set to remove and tighten the nut. He also has a big discount on parts AND will let me help/learn as we go (the best part).

Can't beat that. I could probably do it based on what you all say - but it sounds like I might be lacking in the tool department.

Plus he'll let me play around with his '66 T bird, Model "A", and '66 Caddy in between tasks. Woo-Hoo for me!

http://www.billsclassiccars.com/cars/66thunderbird_1.jpg

http://www.newwestcarshow.com/2628 089 1928 Ford Model A01.jpg

http://hometown.aol.com/indcadlasalle/images/66 deville 002lars.jpg
 
RE: Is a front bearing replace EZ?

Ford reccommends that you install a new nut and don't reuse the old one. I think you could reuse the old if you put lock-tite on it.I have done this and it isn,t to bad you might need a inpact wrench to get the old nut off though.
 
RE: Is a front bearing replace EZ?

If it's anything like the nut on the rear wheel, i wouldn't reuse it. If that nut backs off, you're losing a wheel, and probably your brakes too.
 
RE: Is a front bearing replace EZ?

If it went on anywhere near the spec'd torque of 250 - I don't think there's much left of if after it comes off either. That's a mighty big yank.

I think the "bearing rebuild kit" is $10 - which likely includes the jamb nut and the little holder on'er thing. Probably not bad insurance.
 
RE: Is a front bearing replace EZ?

Very simlar to rear wheel nut.
Last year I replaced one front wheel bearing and installed a new nut however I also installed poly bushings on the rear knuckles which invloved taking the nut off to pull the knuckle and I just reused the old nut with lock tite. No problems so far.
I would have installed new nuts but I did not realize I needed them until I had already started the job and did not want to wait another week to finish the job.
A new nut cost about 5 or 6 bucks so I think that is cheap insurance. If you don't have one you will probably be ok with the lock-tite just make damn sure you get it on tight. I would say at least 225 ft-lbs.
 
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