Harbor Freight Front Wheel Bearing Remover

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Tube Audio - 15 May 2009 22:50 GMT

Hi

Anyone use the Harbor Freight Front Wheel bearing remover on a A1, I have a
1984 GTi Rabbit

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=45210

If so is the kit complete as is? Am thinking I will need bolts to screw
into the hub to pry it off.

Thanks

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Tony49122 - 16 May 2009 04:42 GMT

> Anyone use the Harbor Freight Front Wheel bearing remover on a A1, I have a
> 1984 GTi Rabbit
> If so is the kit complete as is? Am thinking I will need bolts to screw
> into the hub to pry it off.
> Thanks

Hi,
I recently did a front wheel bearing on an '85 Golf. I posted what
I learned here (see the last few posts)
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled/browse_thread/thr
ead/a50aea961096db9a/e87329b6fb64bdc9?lnk=gst&q=whomp#e87329b6fb64bdc9

In terms of the kit being complete, yes the Harbour Freight kit will
take out the outer half of the bearing just fine and press in the new
one just fine. Read my previous post about when pressing in the new
bearing that you support the back of the inner bearing race. I forgot
to account for the c-clip and was pressing on the c-clip instead of
the inner bearing race. Also see my comment about picking up a
suitably sized circlip plier. The c-clip is pretty hefty.

For taking off the hub, I searched for a wheel hub adapter in
western Canada but couldn't find one, so I ended up buying a slide
hammer. It worked well though I would have preferred an adapter.
Others have used long wheel bolts to slowly push the hub off. I
couldn't get the inner race off the hub and ended up buying a new hub.

Good luck. PS .search the web, there are lots of step by step
instructions and videos on the job.

-Tony

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dave AKA vwdoc1 - 16 May 2009 05:41 GMT

It will pull the wheel bearing out of the carrier and push the new one in.
It will even push the hub in.

Since yours does not have ABS then some long bolts should remove the hub. A
heavy good slide hammer should work too.

only problem is that usually the inner race stays on the hub and it can be
cut off or pressed off with another tool. I use this tool
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=3979
but I have a shop press too.
You would have to support this tool and knock the hub through.

Signature

later,
(One out of many daves)

> Hi
>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Thanks

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Tony49122 - 29 May 2009 20:49 GMT

On May 15, 9:41 pm, "dave AKA vwdoc1" <vwdoc1nos...@pleasehotmail.com>
wrote:

> only problem is that usually the inner race stays on the hub and it can be
> cut off or pressed off with another tool. I use this toolhttp://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=3979
> but I have a shop press too.
> You would have to support this tool and knock the hub through.

Hi Dave,
Do you think this tool would be sufficient to pull the inner bearing
race off the hub by hand? I don't have a press nor room for one.
http://www.princessauto.com/tools/automotive-tools/auto-repair/8074031-bearing-s
eparator-/-puller-set?keyword=bearing+puller

With the cold chisel, I budged the race, then the chisel bottomed
out and I had no more wedge against the race. Others mentioned prying
with screw divers resting on wheel bolts threaded in the hub, but that
didn't budge the race at all.

thanks, -Tony

Reply to this Message

dave AKA vwdoc1 - 29 May 2009 21:59 GMT

That tool set looks smaller than what I use but if it can grab that race and
the puller has something to push against like some large washer/plate over
the hole in the hub, then this set might work for you.
The larger bearing clamp/puller will allow you to support the clamp on some
jackstands and then tap the hub out of the race with a socket and hammer.

I used to cut a groove in the race with my muffler cut-off tool (Dremel
would work too) and then use a hammer and chisel to knock the race off.

Some people just buy a new hub and then they don't have to worry about
getting that race off or dealing with a worn/rusted hub. :-)

good luck!

Signature

later,
(One out of many daves)

On May 15, 9:41 pm, "dave AKA vwdoc1" <vwdoc1nos...@pleasehotmail.com>
wrote:

> only problem is that usually the inner race stays on the hub and it can be
> cut off or pressed off with another tool. I use this
> toolhttp://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=3979
> but I have a shop press too.
> You would have to support this tool and knock the hub through.

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