How to replace front wheel bearings

[Jarred]

You've done early Kombi rear wheel bearings, haven't you Pete? Dad's got a "Special" bit of pipe for those bad boys. haha.

about 2m long and got STOP written on one end??? hahah

[dubsweeper]

I have just disasembled my left hand front wheel bearing housing !! as i have a 16v conversion mk1 will the bearings be the same or would they be a mk2 variety ? just confused because of the drive shaft outer cv joint that goes into the spline of the hub !! best i can explain , also i didnt realise i have to set the camber again ? how ? cheers

[Peter Jones]

Easiest way to tell if you've got it all apart is to measure the diameter of the wheel bearing.

MK1 is 64mm
MK2 is 72mm (possibly 66mm in some models)

Pretty unlikely that you'd have MK2 Hubs, it's not a straight swap.

Easiest way to set the camber would be to have a wheel alignment done. Otherwise you leave the shock connected to the hub so you don't upset the setting.

[dubsweeper]

Easiest way to tell if you've got it all apart is to measure the diameter of the wheel bearing.

MK1 is 64mm
MK2 is 72mm (possibly 66mm in some models)

Pretty unlikely that you'd have MK2 Hubs, it's not a straight swap.

Easiest way to set the camber would be to have a wheel alignment done. Otherwise you leave the shock connected to the hub so you don't upset the setting.

im going to take the bearing to get pressed out before work tomorrow , had a basterd of a time getting the wheel bearing housing off from the bottem ball joint and tie rod !!!

Is it tricky to put back on? yes so basically i will have to take it in for a wheel aligment , cheers for that ....

[sports racer]

One of my old racing magazines has the following tip for extending the life of the front bearings on racing Golfs. - Don't use a torque wrench. Find a long piece of pipe to use as a lever, slip a slightly larger long pipe over the end so it's now twice as long, find a 3rd long pipe and do the same. Now get a few mates to help tighten the bearing. When all the pipes are bent more than 30 degrees the bearing is tight enough.

[dubsweeper]

well finally got my bearing pressed out during work time , then straight after work started to put it all back , had a problem getting the 2 shockie camber bolts in , but found a dude to help me push the bearing housing down to slip the bolts thru
going to finish it off tomorow morning , then a wheel aligment .... im happy i saved some dollers doing it myself !!!! but its not on the ground yet !

[Volksee77]

shane I can do the camber for you mate, I have a camber spirit level that sits on the hub.
Luke

[dubsweeper]

shane I can do the camber for you mate, I have a camber spirit level that sits on the hub.
Luke

that would be awsome !!! whens a good time for you ?? i tried to copy the other side of the car where the bolt sits , but i know its not sitting right ???

[EwenHayton]

Pete please tell me u live in Perth! I have my bearings out but the need help gettin the outer case an inner cover off the hub! What did u mean by a Drimel?

[Peter Jones]

Not in WA sorry, I'm in Victoria.

A Dremel is a small grinding tool. There's many attachments for them, in this case I'm referring to a cut off disc.

Bunnings sell them, incredibly handy.

Dremel Website