Wheel bearings...1 or 2?

[sasha055]

If you're paying a shop to change them, change just one, there is no discount for changing more then one, ie if 1 bearing change costs 500$ to replace (seattle prices) two bearings will be 1000$

If you're changing them youself, might as well change both, bearing is cheap and after you've done it once, second bearing is a lot easier.. plus you'll have to do an alignment if you're doing rears so might as well get it all done.

Thanks
Sasha

[RandallNeighbour]

bearing changes on a wheel hub opened a real can of worms for me. To get to it, you have to take off most everything from that corner of the car suspension-wise.

It's a wonderful time to replace a strut, tie rod, control arm or two (or three in the case of the back wheels) because there's no additional labor to take out an old one and put in a new one.

The can of worms is that you should not replace just one strut and they aren't cheap.

You may want to invest in a new lower control arm on that one corner and have the mechanic put that in when he takes the old one off. These wear out way too prematurely on our cars and cause some nasty-loud squeaking when you go over bumps or turn the wheel hard and go into a driveway. It's caused by the steel bit wearing through the rubber gasket and rubbing against the aluminum.

I will say this though... I had all four wheel bearings and most of the suspension swapped out on my car a couple of years ago and it now drives like a brand new car and it's QUIET. I had no idea how noisy worn suspension parts (loose, clanking, and random squeaking that was hard to pinpoint) and nearly-worn out bearings made the car.

[JFP in PA]

As Frodo has the SIR tooling, he will not need to pull the suspension apart to change the wheel bearing.

[Frodo]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

As Frodo has the SIR tooling, he will not need to pull the suspension apart to change the wheel bearing.

Bingo. Actually, not quite yet...but it's on it's way. (Since I smacked the right rear as well as the right front, that may be the next one to go. Figured I should go ahead and spring for the kit now.)

[Steve Tinker]

What exactly does the SIR tools consist of.....

[JFP in PA]

SIR produces a broad selection of specialty tools that allow the removal and installation of both front and rear bearing assemblies without the use of a conventional bearing press. This allows the bearings to be changed with the suspension components still in the car rather than removing them and taking them to the press; big time saver for shops.



Their websiste http://www.sirtools.com

[jhandy]

Drawing from my memory of changing out my springs, how exactly can you take the bearing out without taking the whole thing apart?

IE: How do you get the bearing out without removing the axle....How do you remove the axle without removing the hub/spindle.....How do you remove the hub/spindle without unhooking everything?

Trying to learn tricks, because changing the springs was an easy job.....but it took me every bit of 4 hours per corner.

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by Frodo

Bingo. Actually, not quite yet...but it's on it's way. (Since I smacked the right rear as well as the right front, that may be the next one to go. Figured I should go ahead and spring for the kit now.)

I would clean & inspect the wheel carriers for damage & cracks also!

[RandallNeighbour]

Oh, and don't forget to buy new caliper bolts. They one-shot use pieces according to Porsche and should not be reused. Fortunately, they're a typical in-stock item and not terribly expensive.