Outer vs. Inner Rear wheel bearings...

[TheresGabe]

So I'm doing rear bearings on my newly acquired Festy this weekend. I've done the outer wheel bearings on other Festys before. Should I be doing the inner ones when I change the outer ones? Are the inner as easy to do as the outer? There is a definite hum coming from the passenger rear. Is there ANY way someone has a scan of the Haynes manual on rear wheel bearing replacement they can either post, or PM me?

Thanks in advance.

[Pu241]

Search here and/or spend the $15, or less, for a manual.
It is worth every penny.
Yes, I would have recommended inner and out bearing replacement, along with their respective races.

[georgeb]

Just tap out the race with a long punch like the outers. And replace the seal.

[TheresGabe]

Just tap out the race with a long punch like the outers. And replace the seal.

Wait... What seal?

[TheresGabe]

Search here and/or spend the $15, or less, for a manual.
It is worth every penny.
Yes, I would have recommended inner and out bearing replacement, along with their respective races.

I've bought a manual every time I've had a festiva/Aspire (Seriously owned this manual like 6 times) and now I can't find them for less than $26, and NOWHERE has them near me. And I'm looking to do the bearings tonight.

[georgeb]

If you removed the brake drum like you should have you would see the axle seal. I assume you are going to replace the races included with the bearings? The procedure (race R and R) is not covered in the Haynes manual, only in the FSM. But this site is better than either manual!

[htchbck]

I'm guessing you've never taken the drum off before, just removed the stake nut, washer, and then stuck a new outer bearing in an old race? If so, then you need to get a manual, there is a LOT more to a bearing job than that.

[Movin]

All you need is a hammer and long punch or drift, and a little wheel bearing grease.
wipe out all the old, drive out any bad races. Pack bearings, drive in new races,
slather in some wheel bearing grease between the races. Tap or press the new seal
in place after putting the bearing in place. Grease the spindle, install the assembly , the outer bearing , retainer and adjust. If you installed new races it
would be a good idea to road test over some railroad tracks a few times then come
back and recheck this adjustment. Enjoy the fun!


Here is a little bit about packing..

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/showpost.php?p=79089&postcount=1

[TheresGabe]

If you removed the brake drum like you should have you would see the axle seal. I assume you are going to replace the races included with the bearings? The procedure (race R and R) is not covered in the Haynes manual, only in the FSM. But this site is better than either manual!

OK... So searching rear wheel bearings on here brings up 652 results... Any specific post you can think of? Much appreciated.

[Bert]

For what bearings are worth you may as well do both of them plus the seal. Getting the old outer races out is sometimes more difficult than putting new ones back in. Some Festy drums have a slot or indent cut in the center rib for making it easy to drift out the races, others don't. I carve slots with a carbide-tipped dremel tool if they're not already there. Make sure the drift or punch you use is soft (ie brass) (on the new races) or you may damage things. Nowadays I mostly use the old races to drive in the new ones, or a large socket that fits. You can readily tell by the sound when the race hits bottom if you're tapping them in.
If you're worried about this stuff sometimes it's just as easy to go to your favourite garage and slip the mechanic a 6-pack for pressing in the races for you.

When I was a courier one of my cars was going through right rear bearings like feces through a goose. I got so I could do the whole works and be back on the road in 1/2 hour. Sometimes I wonder (now that I look back) if that wasn't the problem in the first place. Take your time and do it right and make sure the grease is thoroughly squeezed in between the bearings.

[qroger]

Does this process involve the preload shim?

[drddan]

^ Not on the rear bearings.

Preload spacer is on front only.

[Pu241]

Does this process involve the preload shim?

^ Not on the rear bearings.

Preload spacer is on front only.

No preload shim, but you need to seat the bearing.

Once the spindle bearing assembly is put together, you need to tighten it to the spec (IIRC 10-21 ft/lbs) then spin the assembly forward then backward to seat the bearing. Then back off the nut and lock it in place after determining it spins freely and does not wobble.

[Bert]

Thanks guys. I keep forgetting about 'take it for granite (pun intended)' motions you have to make or do before seemingly simple things are done right. No, there are no dreaded pre-load spacers at the back of a Festy.

[WmWatt]

Photos at http://www.photobucket.com/festiva-backwheel