Replacing wheel bearings?

[nicktheviking]

I've read through the service manual section on this and I'm still unclear. I understand the theory behind a wheel bearing. I understand there is an outer and inner wheel bearing on the front hub. What I don't understand is how they fit together.

In addition, is there a how to or set of clear instructions on how to replace the wheel bearings?

[kristoj]

You need to invest in a good manual. I have the Brooklands manual and it is pretty good. You can also find a Fiat manual here: http://www.danielreinhardt.com/fiat/ServiceManual/, and check the section on suspension for wheel bearings. I would still recommend buying a manual with good ilustrations, photos, etc.

[nicktheviking]

You need to invest in a good manual. I have the Brooklands manual and it is pretty good. You can also find a Fiat manual here: http://www.danielreinhardt.com/fiat/ServiceManual/, and check the section on suspension for wheel bearings. I would still recommend buying a manual with good ilustrations, photos, etc.

I own the factory service manual, but it nearly skips over replacing wheel bearings.

[kristoj]

The Brooklands manual details it much better. You basically remove the spindle nut (passenger side is reverse thread) and remove the hub. This is after you remove the calipers and rotors of course. The bearings will be inside of the hub. The outer bearing will fall out of the hub after the nut is removed. The inner bearing is held in by a bearing seal, which you will have to remove and replace. If your bearings show unsual wear, you will have to replace them, as well as the bearing races inside the hub. The race is the angled surface that the bearing rolls on. The races need to be knocked out with a punch and the new ones will have to be pressed in. Any machine shop can perform this service for a nominal fee.

Of course, the new bearings need to be packed with grease before reassembling everything. Follow the instructions in your manual for retightening the spindle nuts. You should also puchase new spindle nuts so you can stake them correctly.

[nicktheviking]

The Brooklands manual details it much better. You basically remove the spindle nut (passenger side is reverse thread) and remove the hub. This is after you remove the calipers and rotors of course. The bearings will be inside of the hub. The outer bearing will fall out of the hub after the nut is removed. The inner bearing is held in by a bearing seal, which you will have to remove and replace. If your bearings show unsual wear, you will have to replace them, as well as the bearing races inside the hub. The race is the angled surface that the bearing rolls on. The races need to be knocked out with a punch and the new ones will have to be pressed in. Any machine shop can perform this service for a nominal fee.

Of course, the new bearings need to be packed with grease before reassembling everything. Follow the instructions in your manual for retightening the spindle nuts. You should also puchase new spindle nuts so you can stake them correctly.

Thanks, that is what I was looking for. I sort of wish I had bought the Brooklands manual now!

[rlux4]

Nick, put it on you Christmas list. Two manuals is the least we should have as they each will have their strong and weak points.
Ron

[mbouse]

there is no one do-all be-all service manual.

the procedure John just described is basic auto mechanics. there are a plethora of those books at nearly every over-the-counter parts store. I don't mean to demean..but there is a technique just in loading the bearings with grease. I doubt that even the Brooklands covers that technique.

Spiders are a great second car, one to be used for fun. also a great car to learn mechanics with. they are a great performing, well built simple car. Enjoy your learning curve! we all gotta go through it some time.

[racydave]

Maybee you should find some qualified help, cauz of the consequences...

[nicktheviking]

??

[rlux4]

Dave, I'd be willing to bet that Clark has had experience with wheel bearings before. Just not experience with Fiats. And hey, wheel bearings are wheel bearings, no matter what car they're on. A wheel bearing by any other name would smell as sweet. No wait, that's not the right quote.
Clark, I think Dave is just expressing his concern for your safety. Some of these guys are really hung up about this silly safety thing.
Ron

[kristoj]

I hadn't done wheel bearings since high school -- on American iron -- and I managed to get the Fiat done without mucking it up. Drove it all the way to the Poconos and back, sometimes hitting 80 MPH without any carnage!

Of course, I invested $10 in a bearing packer at Autozone (I had previously purchased a bearing/seal driver set when I did my pinion seal) to make the job a little easier.

[mdrburchette]

A wheel bearing packer? What a nifty idea! I often wonder if Ron keeps these little inventions to himself to make me suffer. All I know is the boys in the shop got a kick out of watching me pack those bearings. I used rubber gloves and a whole bunch of goop (wheel brg grease). That was probably the nastiest job I've done on my Spider.

[mbouse]

John.. there was no spot on the route to or from the FFO where 80 mph was legal. I presume you mean to say "nearly 80 mph". And, i have never used a wheel bearing packer. was it worth the $10 ??

Denise.. i gotta agree that packing those bearings are one of the dirtiest P.M. jobs one can tackle. I always remember that i have a box-0-gloves on the workbench AFTER i've packed my first bearing... LOL.

[rlux4]

The nice thing about the tool (other than keeping your hands cleaner) is how well it pushes all the old grease out.
When I was a kid, we used one that was home-made by my dad.
Ron

[So Cal Mark]

Ron, did you pack those bearings with the possum grease?