>> If such trauma damaged the wheel bearings, the noise would be
>> immediate.
>
> not necessarily. for badly brinelled bearings, yes, but the effect
> can be much more insidious.
I see what you're getting at. You're thinking surface damage that may
not be apparent until it begins flaking. I was thinking little dents in
the races, which would cause a howl right away.
>>> the real deal solution, that runs no risk of damage to the bearings,
>>> is an air impact driver. a good quality driver connected to a high
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> i've been resisting it, but i may break down and get an electric
> impact.
You won't regret it, believe me. It makes things SO much easier. No
longer is your heart in your throat with every bolt you tackle. You
actually have confidence that you'll be able to finish a job quickly and
easily.
And it makes removing wheels a breeze.
> a cordless version that i can take junkyard surfing is /real/
> attractive.
Haven't tried one of those myself, but others I know who have say
they're wonderful.
The only problem I've found with the electric guns is their extreme
bulk. They're just about useless in an engine bay or other tight spots,
even with U-joints. But anywhere you have lots of room, they're
great.That means axle nuts, suspension bolts, crank pulley bolts,
subframe bolts, that sort of thing.
One of the best tools I ever bought, outside of the balljoint puller. I
used both of those when I changed my alternator a few weeks ago. What a
time-saver.

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Tegger
The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/
jim beam - 20 Apr 2007 03:51 GMT
>>> If such trauma damaged the wheel bearings, the noise would be
>>> immediate.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> not be apparent until it begins flaking. I was thinking little dents in
> the races, which would cause a howl right away.
more like little dents become bigger dents. bit like a "flat tire" on a
railroad car. a tiny flat spot becomes a big one just through use.
flaking is spalling caused by fatigue. that's usually overload or
abrasion damage scratching the running surfaces - and those scratches
then nucleate fatigue.
>>>> the real deal solution, that runs no risk of damage to the bearings,
>>>> is an air impact driver. a good quality driver connected to a high
[quoted text clipped - 34 lines]
> used both of those when I changed my alternator a few weeks ago. What a
> time-saver.