help wheel bearings

[scitzz]

Shoot, I did a write up on this as well. With a press, it should be a piece of cake. I think I even included scans from the manual. Looking now....

Found it!

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34540

[unknown]

I do appreciate the link scitzz. But, I just ain't got the guts to tear into it. I plan on ordering my parts tomorrow, and I will just remove it and take it to a machine shop.

By the way, I was noticing as I was looking at the axle nuts, that they ask if the car was made before, or after 01/1989. I know georgeb told me there are two different types of nuts, but are they interchangeable? Or, is one preferable to the other?

[scitzz]

Unknown, have a care. Some mechanics, many even, are unaware of how important the spacer is with this project.

This being NC, home of a very large number of us, I am betting you can talk someone into helping you with this, with all the know how, saving you TONS of cash.

For instance, I am set up to do it, if you have a way to get them to Chapel Hill. Available on Mondays and Thursdays, I don't charge labor to Festiva friends....

[unknown]

scitzz, that is an INCREDIBLY generous offer. Right now I am trying to get in contact with a local Festy owner who told me about his guy, that he said is well aware of the spacer. I will have to talk to him and see. But, I will certainly keep your offer in mind. Thank you very much for that offer.

[scitzz]

Having a local owner available is fortunate indeed.

As far as the offer, think nothing of it. Just part of being in the NC crew!

[unknown]

Well, my confidence was shattered with this guy. Here is the story. This guy tells me the mechanic that worked on his Festy. He replaced ONE bearing in the front. Mechanic told the owner that, since it is usually only one that goes out, replacing the other one (while it is right there in front of you) wasn't necessary.

Now, of course, I am not a mechanic. But, seriously, the GOOD bearings are only like, $10 bucks. Why would you NOT go ahead and replace BOTH while you have it there, torn apart? Am I missing some kind of logical thought here?

[zoom zoom]

No your absolutely right.. why not do both? You should tear into it yourself dude, its really not hard, with a little creativity you can do it. A 3 jaw pulled will help.

[WmWatt]

unknown: Because he would have had to pull the knuckle off the hub to get at the outer bearing and then press it back on again and he didn't have the tools or didn't have the time or the inclination. The price he quoted you for the bearing job prolly did not include the extra work which was unanticipated.

[unknown]

I guess I should apologize for hijacking this thread, but the conversation has just flowed this way I guess.

zoom zoom, I would tend to agree with your theory. I mean, it wasn't like he was saving money. The owner of the car had already purchased both bearings. They were right there.

After all this, I do think I am going to try it myself. I guess the worst that could happen is, I can't do it, and I would have to take scitzz up on his generous offer.

[scitzz]

Man. I really ought to make a video of the process!

You are spot on. Both should be replaced. If you read the thread carefully, you should be just fine. I can PM my number to you for questions as well.

[theonlyz]

I vote for a video. Ive done lots of wheel bearings on trailers and trucks but this seems different.

Can it all be done with regular hand tools or do presses need to be involved in the process? A write up with pics would be great.

[scitzz]

I posted a link on page two of this thread to the write up that i did.

[theonlyz]

i seen it afterwards, must have went through the thread a little too fast. Thanks

[FestYboy]

there IS video!!! un editided and aprox 20 min long (John can vouch for it's exsistance). i don't have the original and the copy i DO have is in B/W. can't remember my youtube account ATM to upload it.

[zoom zoom]

Lol what? You videotaped yourself in black and white?? Lol!