When my first A2 developed a bad bearing, the repair shop did all of the work and charged me over $200 for all the labor. I then went to a Schley tools distributor and purchased the specific tool for replacing bearings. I've since replaced the front bearings on all of my cars. (I even use this tool to press in the headset bearing cups on my bicycles!)
Bearing tool being used to replace front bearing on a Jetta III. http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid71/p2d4756b94a71f13a7ed849edbc9ee32f/fb8deb6f.jpg The bearings themselves are relatively inexpensive. But the effort to replace them is involving and requires some arm strength if you don't have a hydraulic press. Pulling the hub off isn't too easy either. One of the bearing races usually breaks off while removing and remains on the hub. This race often requires a gear puller to remove. I too am interested in the bench hydraulic press as my next tool purchase. I've been browsing the Harbor Freight site because one of my next errands includes changing the bushings on the A-arms on my Golf and Corrado. But I'm finding A-arms with bushings already pressed in at reasonable prices. So I have to find some other purpose for the hydraulic press to justify its purchase. -Les -----Original Message----- From: Steven Arguello <[email protected]> Sent: Apr 15, 2004 6:59 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [a2-16v-list] Bad Front Wheel Bearings '88 GTi has a bad vibration in the front wheels, gets worse when you turn. I've changed both axles, and the low-speed-turning part of the vibration/noise went away. Now I'm pretty sure the front wheel bearings are both bad. What are my options? What's the most cost-effective (cheapest) way to replace them? I won't have a problem removing the housing or hub but, I don't have a press or any special pullers. Thanks, Steve _______________________________________________ a2-16v-list mailing list [email protected] http://mail.a2-16v.com/mailman/listinfo/a2-16v-list For list archives, see listinfo link above.
