MK3 Shatstra front bearing replacement!?!?!?

[Guest Tony Hayers]

Ive not long got off the phone from a mate who has a (MK3 GM F type) P plate 95/96 MY Astra TD van with a shot front wheel bearing.He has stripped it down to the bearing and has removed the spring circlip from the back of the bearing in the steering knuckle, but he cant get the bearing out. Ive no idea myself having never owned a Astra, let alone a Vauxhall so I said I would ask around and get back to him.Anyone done one and know how to get the bearing out? I would appreciate any pointers on this one.Cheers and thanks in advance - Jetronic.

[Barry Cade]

Smash it out with a big hammer and a big socket... or even better take it along to a garage or engineering place who will press it out,and press in a new one.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Yeah I suspect it will be beyond smashing out, you'll need a press or a massive vice to squeeze it out.

[M'coli]

Heat!!!Cut down a bean can to about 4cm high, and add 15-20 mm of meths.Place the bearing carrier over it and set it alight, let it go until the meths starts to run out.Run some water over the bearing, but not the carrier - this'll shrink the bearing but not the carrier.Give it large with the hammer, on the bearing, it should come out really well.Drive the new bearing in, and cool the carrier down before it buggers any plastic cage on the new bearing!It's been done, 20000 miles on the Cavalier with no problems.Camping stove can be used to sub for the meths.

[Station]

I believe the quickest and cheapest way of doing this is buying a new strut from a scrappy for 10 quid.Don't bother with bearings unless you have a hydraulic bench press, they a pressed in and I guarantee you won't get them out, and putting them in without one will probably destroy the bearing. Really, just get a replacement strut.It's the only job ever I have taken to a garage.^^^ Though that does sound good, but a recipe for disaster!!

[M'coli]

It does work, trust me! Also works on mk2 Scirocco bearings too!It's really diffucult to cook the new bearing, as the whole thing's coolng down - you've also got the old outer track to drive it in with. It's £2.50 for the meths (cheaper if you can make sure the wife is out and get it on the big ring on the gas stove!) rather than up to an hour on a garage press.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Another tip is, if your new bearing is not from a well-known manufacturer (OE, QH, Timken etc) dont bother fitting it! Its all in the metallurgy with wheelbearings and the cheap shite that you get from most car parts shops will be OK for a few months but will inevitably start whining again due ultimately to being made from goats cheese.

[Station]

^ I couldn't agree more, I've gone through shitloads of these:

 

 

GM top mounts last a decade, these last 1 year max, and they're not cheap. Do I learn, do I bugger! Absolute rubbish.

[Barry Cade]

Yeah I suspect it will be beyond smashing out, you'll need a press or a massive vice to squeeze it out.

Not at all, I do it nearly every day. Stick the strut in a vice,Use a 24ish mm socket and drive out the hub flange, then a big socket or a blunt cold chisel on the outer race, it will go no probs. recover the outer race,and use that to drive in the new bearing,grind nearly through the bit of inner race thats left on the flange split it with the chisel,then carefully drive that on,supporting the inner race from the rear with another socket.piece of pi$$.Please wear goggles though....If you have the correct puller, this may help...

[Barry Cade]

Another method,if you have a MIG. Run a line of weld round the inside of the outer race, when it cools,it shrinks the race,and it will near enough drop out.

[Guest Tony Hayers]

Cheers everyone, will pass all the info over to him.

[Station]

Will a blowtorch be enough? I have two struts I could do with changing.

[Mike D]

If anyone is in Lincolnshire and in need of a press i've got a 15 tonner you are welcome to borrow

[Guest Tony Hayers]

You found this thread then fat man? (the owner of said Astra)

[M'coli]

Will a blowtorch be enough? I have two struts I could do with changing.

You can give it a try, but I used the meths to save gas until the carrier was fairly hot anyway.

[Fat Man!]

Yes found the thread!

[Fat Man!]

Hi Mate, Thanks for the advice, the old big ring on the gas hob worked well. Just got the problem of getting the flange plate on to the inside of the bearing, any tips i'm all ears. Thanks again.