Hello to everyone. It has been a while since I have been on here. Had to go to Iraq. But, I am back and would like to know what it takes to replace the front hub bearings. I bought the front hub assembly for both sides. Just would like to know what is involved in the whole process. Thanks ahead of time for all the comments
front hub bearings
- Thread starter 91SHO
- Start date
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rangerj
Active Member
Welcome back. Are you talking about 91 stock steering knuckles and bearings, or are you doing an upgrade to 94/95, or 96.
If you have 91 steering knuckles the hub has to be pressed out, and then the bearing is pressed out (after the bearing retainer is removed (snap ring).
The new bearing is pressed in, and then knuckle and bearing is pressed onto the new hub. DO NOT press the hub INTO the bearing. Press the knuckle with the bearing installed ONTO the hub. rangerj
If you have 91 steering knuckles the hub has to be pressed out, and then the bearing is pressed out (after the bearing retainer is removed (snap ring).
The new bearing is pressed in, and then knuckle and bearing is pressed onto the new hub. DO NOT press the hub INTO the bearing. Press the knuckle with the bearing installed ONTO the hub. rangerj
I have the '91. No upgrade yet. Excuse my ignorance, but what do I have to take apart to get to pressing out the bearings? I am preaty comfortable working on it myself. I just never have had to do this before.
thanks
if anyone would have some pics that would be great!!
thanks
if anyone would have some pics that would be great!!
Xs SHO 1
Unknown
You need to unbolt the axel nut, steering control arm, the strut tube and pinch bolt. Use a pry bar to pry off the lower control arm, the halfshaft should come off the spindle assembly. From there, u can press out the hub and then the bearing after you remove the retaining ring off the bearing, with a press of course or have a parts store or shop do it. Good luck....
pjtoledo
'ol man in the SHO
rangerj said:
You might want to clarify that last part. It sounds confusing to me, and I supposedly know how to change bearings.
Perry
pjtoledo
'ol man in the SHO
91SHO said:
30mm, or 1-3/16",,,both are the same. Preferably a deep socket, or a regular axle nut socket. The bearings aren't that hard to do, I have some special tools for them, no press is needed.
Welcome back.
Perry
sdpatt
Sr. SHO Engr.
Here is a topic showing my experiences with the front bearing and hub replacement.
http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=18260&referrerid=37
http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=18260&referrerid=37
rangerj
Active Member
pj,
The idea of pressing the knuckle assembly ONTO the hub, as apposed to pressing the hub INTO the bearing, is to distribute the pressure on the bearing evenly (front and back) so as to not distort the bearing.
If you press the hub INTO the bearing the hub applies pressure on the center of the bearing with no support for the back side of the bearing.
If you press the bearing, in the knuckle, ONTO the hub the pressure on both sides of the bearing is just about equal (slight difference or the hub would not move). The hub is pushing on one side of the bearing, and the press is pushing on the other side of the bearing.
If I remember right you draw the hub into the bearing using threaded rod. You are essentially pulling the hub into the bearing from the back side. Doing it that way accomplishes the same thing as pressing the bearing ONTO the hub, because you are using the back side of the bearing to pull the hub in. The pressure would be about equal on both sides of the bearing, and thus no distortion of the bearing.
See the thread SDPATT references as it contains an Auto Zone web site that has instructions and pictures of the pressing method I describe. It is basically right out of the Helm manual. rangerj
The idea of pressing the knuckle assembly ONTO the hub, as apposed to pressing the hub INTO the bearing, is to distribute the pressure on the bearing evenly (front and back) so as to not distort the bearing.
If you press the hub INTO the bearing the hub applies pressure on the center of the bearing with no support for the back side of the bearing.
If you press the bearing, in the knuckle, ONTO the hub the pressure on both sides of the bearing is just about equal (slight difference or the hub would not move). The hub is pushing on one side of the bearing, and the press is pushing on the other side of the bearing.
If I remember right you draw the hub into the bearing using threaded rod. You are essentially pulling the hub into the bearing from the back side. Doing it that way accomplishes the same thing as pressing the bearing ONTO the hub, because you are using the back side of the bearing to pull the hub in. The pressure would be about equal on both sides of the bearing, and thus no distortion of the bearing.
See the thread SDPATT references as it contains an Auto Zone web site that has instructions and pictures of the pressing method I describe. It is basically right out of the Helm manual. rangerj
RCM
Forum Sponsor
We have the correct Ford service tools available for pressing front wheel bearings in/out. (You'll need a press of course though).
Russ
RCM Automotive
http://home.earthlink.net/~rcm_automotive/
Russ
RCM Automotive
http://home.earthlink.net/~rcm_automotive/
91 SHOplus
Sholess 4 Now
mrmann7 said:
You have some nice parts available. Where in PA are you?
pjtoledo
'ol man in the SHO
rangerj said:
Don't worry Rangerj, I knew that you are well qualified on the SHO. It's just that to a beginner I thought the first post may be a bit confusing. Where to put the blocks and shims etc. My method can be summed up as to put pressure on the outer race to install the bearing into the knuckle. Then put pressure on the inner race to install the hub into the bearing.
A couple of the guys here have seen me do bearings with the threaded rod method, it's quite easy. Now, if we could just teach guys how to properly use something as simple as a cube.....
Perry
RCM
Forum Sponsor
91 SHOplus said:
Pittsburgh area (southwest).
Russ
RCM Automotive
http://home.earthlink.net/~rcm_automotive/
rangerj
Active Member
Perry,
I kinda knew where you were going with your post, and I agree. So I tried to make it a little clearer. In re. the "cube" - every time I think we are making some progress we get one of those post that go something like this;
"I'm going to change my muffler bearings, where are the mufflers?"
It is all in good fun, they are a good bunch, and you have to give them credit for trying. rangerj
I kinda knew where you were going with your post, and I agree. So I tried to make it a little clearer. In re. the "cube" - every time I think we are making some progress we get one of those post that go something like this;
"I'm going to change my muffler bearings, where are the mufflers?"
It is all in good fun, they are a good bunch, and you have to give them credit for trying. rangerj
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