Front wheel bearings

[JebusKrist]

I've been told and heard it myself that my front left wheel bearing needs repacking and or replacement I looked up the procedure in the online Chilton's reference but they showed some special tools which I don't have nor wish to purchase for a one time job, my question to you guys is how can this be accomplished with standard hand tools without damaging anything? The van is a 1988 Astro RWD

[Astroplane]

If the bearings are OK, buy a new grease seal, cotter pin, disc brake wheel bearing grease, aerosol brake parts cleaner, and a roll of shop towels to clean the bearings and rotor hub.
If the bearings are bad, buy a new brake rotor, grease, grease seal, cotter pin, parts cleaner, and bearings. Replacing the rotor will eliminate the tools needed to install new bearing races.
You will need a 3/8" allen wrench or hex driver socket to remove the caliper guide bolts.

[chevy57bert]

I've been told and heard it myself that my front left wheel bearing needs repacking and or replacement I looked up the procedure in the online Chilton's reference but they showed some special tools which I don't have nor wish to purchase for a one time job, my question to you guys is how can this be accomplished with standard hand tools without damaging anything? The van is a 1988 Astro RWD

Jack up your wheel. and give it a spin. Listen for rattle sounds.
Put your fingers on the fender and feel rubbing from the wheel-bearings.

look at the bearings for wearing.
clean them first with brakecleaner. blow them dry. grease them real good..
wheel bearings need ZERO lash when you tighten them up.

[LEVE]

Classical test for wheel bearings is to raise the tire off the ground. Rotate the tire forward and backwards to feel/hear grinding of bearings. Then put you hands at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock and shake the tire to see if tire feels loose. Do the same with your hands a 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock.

[JebusKrist]

I was at the shop yesterday and the mechanic spun the rotor with no wheel and it sounded a bit nasty he said it was likely just dry and didn't sound like it was ground up yet. I plan to replace it anyway since its cheap and has probably never been done do I need anything special to remove the grease seals and bearings? the chiltons shows a few tools or are those not needed? I've done bearings on my bikes before pedal bikes not motorized bikes and that always turned out well

[Astroplane]

do I need anything special to remove the grease seals and bearings?

Removing the dust cap without damage may very well be the hardest part of this job. Once you get that off, remove cotter pin, (adjustment collar), nut, and washer. Pull outward on the rotor (careful with your fingers, the rotor is heavy). If it slides off with both bearings and the grease seal, simply toss it in the nearest dumpster (insert local disposal regs here). If it will not come off the spindle, one of the inner races may have damaged the spindle tolerance fit. Clean spindle. Clean inside hub of new rotor with cleaner and allow time to dry (If the parts cleaner has water in it, use compressed air). Pack new bearings and hub with grease. Place larger bearing in hub and install grease seal. Lube seal lip with grease. Slide rotor onto spindle and install smaller bearing. Install washer and hand tighten nut. Refer to wheel bearing adjustment for Gen I.

[Jasen]

Good info so far. It sounds like the tool your referring to is a bearing packer, something like this.



Never owned one.
Just put a large glop of bearing grease in the palm of your hand, then take the bearing in your other hand and kind of scoop/ press the grease into the bearing cage, rotating it around working the grease in real good all the way around. Wipe off the excessive globs with your finger and then reinstall.

[ihatemybike]

To remove the dust cap I've used a steel chisel and tapped it in between the cap and the rotor. No damage any time I've done this.

[Big_kid]

Raise & secure the van on jackstands,
remove the wheel,
chisel or channel locks to remove the dust cap,
remove the cotter pin, spindle nut & outer bearing,
remove the rotor & place it lugs up on a clean-ish surface(to catch the bearing& seal)
CAREFULLY use a punch (or similar tool) and GENTLY tap the seal out of the back of the rotor. The inner bearing will fall out with it.

Clean and inspect the bearing rollers and races(where they roll) for scores, pits, gauging, discoloring(overheated), etc. If all passes inspection, repack & reinstall. Be sure to clean out ALL traces of old grease.

I have one of those little bearing packers pictured above. Even if you rarely use it it's worth having. It allows you to pack bearings with a grease gun instead of getting it all over your hands and everything else in the process. If you go that route, do the smaller bearing first. It will make less of a mess.

[chevy57bert]

Good info so far. It sounds like the tool your referring to is a bearing packer, something like this.

[ http://images.solidcactus.com/autobarn/xxxw-lis65250.jpg ]

Never owned one.
Just put a large glop of bearing grease in the palm of your hand, then take the bearing in your other hand and kind of scoop/ press the grease into the bearing cage, rotating it around working the grease in real good all the way around. Wipe off the excessive globs with your finger and then reinstall.

Best thing there is.. gets the grease where you want it. Inside off the bearing. and not only on top off it..

[LEVE]

When I grease a bearing of this kind I first soak it in a can of gas to get the old grease/debris out. I've also used Spray Carb Cleaner to do the same. Then I take the bearing and roll it in my hand, slowly, to feel for any flat spots in the ball bearings or bearing race.

I've found a few that were on the verge of being bad using this method.

Then, after I'm satisfied that the dry bearing is in good shape I'll pack it by hand. I've never had any luck with those bearing tools. They make a mess, and I can do just as good of a job packing a bearing with grease with out one. Once their packed I'll double check the bearing for problems before it's installed.