Wheel bearing replacements

[GLIDER]

the spider has been sitting for almost 2 years getting painted etc, I've changed fluids and am thinking of replacing the wheel bearings. I haven't done this in the 10 years I've had her- hasn't been driven much either . Does anyone have any words of wisdom in replacing them and or links for the dumb down

[4uall]

This might help

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LC9MxUCvI8

http://fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=31188

[GLIDER]

Thx, good links

[narfire]

Thanks for the link jay. I have a stripped wheel bolt hole and have to swap out a hub. It's been a while since I've had the front hubs off.
I just need a source for the spindle nut here in Canada. Sorry but the exchange is too great to purchase much from the States right now.

[4uall]

um, they are only $2.90 each http://www.autoricambi.us/product/BG8-4 ... eft-Front/

I'm sure you can get one anywhere, just bring in the old one and match it up

[njoconnor]

Those videos are very helpful, and I was surprised at how quickly the bearing change out went for me. Coupla suggestions:

1) buy/rent/borrow a torque wrench which actually goes down to 5 ftlbs. I found a 3/8 drive Craftsman wich reads out in inch lbs, so I did the conversion (ft lbs x 12), and used that to do the prress down and final torques on the hub nuts. Mine was $40 on sale, I suspect HF would be even cheaper. 5 ft lbs is a lot less than I thought.

2) I appreciated the clear demo on hand acking the bearing. But Carlisle makes a nifty little device which uses a plunger and cup to push grease into the bearing. Supposedly, it can be used to push the old grease out with the new, but I soaked the bearings in thinner for a few days, then scrubbed them out and air dried them. Cup is neater, and gets grease into all the small spots.

Best wishes with the effort; it's one of those "worth it" jobs.....

Neil

[DieselSpider]

The hand packing demo unfortunately is not quite Kosher. The rest of the video is very good its just the bearing packing that's not quite right.

This Hand Packing method from the The Farm Journal matches the method prescribed by Motors Manual for close to 100 years. This is Packing while the other method is more like Smearing grease on the outside of the bearing with the hopes that enough will get inside where it needs to be. The Packing Method is a much more thorough and reliable method of greasing roller bearings by hand. It may take a couple more minutes but when your done you know its done right because you can see the grease flow up out from one end of the rollers through the other:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p ... hL1uAp_WCw

The Carlile, Leslie and other packing jigs follow the same basic principle as the method shown in the AGRI/Farm Journal video.

[baltobernie]

... then scrubbed them out and air dried them.

Air drying is correct, but guys, don't use compressed air to hurry the process. Spinning the unlubricated bearings will ruin them immediately.

[njoconnor]

I air dry the old fashioned way: let 'em sit there for a day or two on clean paper towels!

Neil

[sgkent]

... then scrubbed them out and air dried them.

Air drying is correct, but guys, don't use compressed air to hurry the process. Spinning the unlubricated bearings will ruin them immediately.

I always thought the same thing but reading a bearing manufacturer's white paper the other day there is another more important reason none of us considered. The rollers come flying out without warning with considerable force, and loss of eyesight, broken teeth etc. can result. You can also put the pieces through car and house windows etc. like slow moving shotgun pellets, sending glass everywhere, or denting metal and chipping paint. That is their main concern on not spinning bearings.

[DieselSpider]

... then scrubbed them out and air dried them.

Air drying is correct, but guys, don't use compressed air to hurry the process. Spinning the unlubricated bearings will ruin them immediately.

I always thought the same thing but reading a bearing manufacturer's white paper the other day there is another more important reason none of us considered. The rollers come flying out without warning with considerable force, and loss of eyesight, broken teeth etc. can result. You can also put the pieces through car and house windows etc. like slow moving shotgun pellets, sending glass everywhere, or denting metal and chipping paint. That is their main concern on not spinning bearings.

Note that carjackers will get into your car quickly by just tossing a roller from a wheel bearing at your side window to instantly shatter it. You can view a steel roller from a bearing as about the same as a small hammer being tossed at you.