What tools are required to change my wheel bearings

Ricochet J · 30 Mar 2009 at 12:28

I have at my disposal:
- A jack that came with the spare wheel
- Screw driver
- Man power
- All of summer

Sick of taking the Focus to a garage to get a few bits here and there replaced so I'm doing it myself this time round. I've seen Youtube vids, it can't be that hard.

Thanks

TaKeN · 30 Mar 2009 at 12:33

A good socket set I'd imagine.. Hammer.. circlip pliers.

I've not done one before though, the above is guesswork

Tomsk · 30 Mar 2009 at 12:59

Bearing puller.

GeX · 30 Mar 2009 at 13:07

if you're going to be pulling at the hubs, i wouldnt trust the jack that came with the car, trolley jack and axle stands for you!

also, do you not need a press to fit the new bearing, or are you just replacing the lot?

dalin80 · 30 Mar 2009 at 13:37

front, rear or all?

did a pair of front wheel bearings last week on a focus, took nearly 20 tonnes of pressure to get the bearings to start moving.

Ricochet J · 30 Mar 2009 at 13:48

All four! Dalin if you're close to London fancy giving me a hand on a day that suits you? You'll get a pub meal, a pint and a score for helping me.

Ranger07 · 30 Mar 2009 at 16:18

If you want to fit wheel bearings with out damaging them a hydraulic press is recommended.

You can do it manually with a hammer and bearing tool but its wont always work as some bearings are really tight.

Dogbreath · 30 Mar 2009 at 16:35

dalin80 said:
front, rear or all?

did a pair of front wheel bearings last week on a focus, took nearly 20 tonnes of pressure to get the bearings to start moving.

Running a bead of weld around the inside of the outer race shrinks them enough to almost fall out.

The old 'freeze the bearing, heat the upright' trick helps when installing tight bearings, though you have to be quick as they equalise in temperature very quickly. Use the old outer race as a drift to install the new one.

Dogbreath · 30 Mar 2009 at 16:36

GeX said:
if you're going to be pulling at the hubs, i wouldnt trust the jack that came with the car, trolley jack and axle stands for you!

Agreed, they are for emergency use only, and they are barely adequate for that. A trolley jack and axle stands are required for any serious work.

MrMoonX · 30 Mar 2009 at 18:30

please dont use the jack that came with the car, axle stands all the way otherwise you might end up with a car on top of you