Where do I get a front wheel bearing tool?

[Gearhead]

Anybody know where I can get a front wheel bearing puller tool?  I tried to rent one from www.partsplaceinc.com, but they will not rent me one unless I buy the bearings from them.  Well, I already have German bearings.  The P.O. bought them, and gave them to me when I got the car.  I understand partsplace wanting to make some money, but now they've lost a potential customer, or a few, over a few dollars profit, as I'm the VW guru in the family thanks to you guys.  I'll just order my parts for our 5 VW diesels somewhere else.  

I can take it apart and take them to a friends shop and use a press, but I didn't want to tear the front end apart.  I'll buy the tool if I have to, but not from them.

[rallydiesel]

You can get it from ebay. It is called a Hub Shark. They are pretty pricey though.

[jtanguay]

You can get it from ebay. It is called a Hub Shark. They are pretty pricey though.

wow $300+ hmmm...  i'd want one, but that is pretty steep.  i would need to do a few bearings (maybe 5+ vehicles) to make it worthwhile... when you consider the shop price + getting an alignment done afterwards.

[Ziptar]

Some Ideas:
German Auto Parts will rent you one (I think, might want to sell bearings too).
Use the "Freeze & Bake" method mentioned in the homemade tool thread on Jack's site.
Just get a local shop to press them for you, probably charge $20.00.

[Gearhead]

I didn't see the bearing tool on German Auto parts site.

I'm in the automotive tool and equipment industry, so I get most of my stuff at manufacturer's cost.  I'm going to check my price on a OTC Hub Tamer, or see if I can find a Hub Shark.  If I get one, I'll rent it out on the cheap, and I don't want to sell you bearings.  

I also got a shim kit that has 34 different size shims and valve tools that I'm probably going to make available to the community.  I bought them just to be able to pop the valve cover once and get the job done.

[saurkraut]

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

[Ziptar]

GAP has it, maybe you have to ask for it.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1722551

It's a "loaner" so maybe you need to buy bearings, maybe any purchase will do.

[burn_your_money]

For us Canadians I believe Canadian Tire rents them for free

[Quantum TD]

If you're replacing the bearings, and your old ones were really bad, then you had better go ahead and reaplace the hubs as well. If there is any wear on the back side of the hub shaft, they won't sit properly to the bearing , and you'll have to replace the bearing in another 1-4 months. Trust me, I've tried that trick.

Good luck.

[Gearhead]

Mine just started making noise recently.  The local parts house loans a tool similar to the Harbor Freight one.  There's also a HF down the street.  I'm just trying to figure out how to pull the hub.  I do have large 3 jaw pullers.  I haven't done the job in 10 years, but that time I pulled the whole assembly.

[madmedix]

Tyler, I went to CTC and "rented" the hub tool and brought it back with "no joy" and less skin on my hands...it's $199 up front and refunded when returned.

Now, my 90 Jetta has the skateboard sound up front so I guessing the front bearings (I hope). At 472k, it's a fair bet. I ended up pulling it all off because that hub tool could not budge the bearing...even with a 400 lb/ft 3/4" impact gun . That bearing looks nasty. I'll eat the re-alignment cost  :evil:.  The ball joint rubber was toast on the inboard side anyway so it was a sign I suppose. It'll all go to a machine shop for pressing.

Anyone know a reputable one in the Hammer? And, anyone ever have this kind of grief removing a front bearing before?

Andy

[Quantum TD]

And, anyone ever have this kind of grief removing a front bearing before?

Yeah, it's not a fun job. I keep a used bearing around that I use as a press tool. I've ground down the edges, so that it just slips inside the spindle when the bearing is out. After I've popped out the hubs, and removed the circlips, I take the old bearing, slip it into the back of the spindle over the top of the installed bearing, and hammer on it like a jackrabbit. With the face of the spindle supported, it 'presses' out the old bearing. It makes short work of the bearing. Then, I clean up the insides, and take it to my local shop. This way, I save some labor costs on the things I can do, versus the things I can't do.

I've never tried the on-the-car tool, but my suspicion (as noted above), is that you'd need a WHOLE lot of torque to get that sucker out by cranking on it.

My local shop charged me like $40-50 to press in two new bearings and hubs. Pretty cheap, and it probably only took them like 10 min.

If you can find a friend with a press, then you might be able to press in/out the bearings WITHOUT having to do an alignment (although it's still advised). Just remove the whole spindle/strut assy. as a whole. Be sure to remove the lower bolt for the spindle: leaving the ball joint in place. Then, press the bearings out/in with the strut still attached. I've done it dozens of times on my dad's old press. It's a bit awkward, but it will save you $70-90 on an alignment.

[burnt_servo]

it's been a couple years since i replaced the front wheel bearings in my jetta ,  but i just used a hydralic press and some well placed  sockets .

[zukgod1]

it's been a couple years since i replaced the front wheel bearings in my jetta ,  but i just used a hydralic press and some well placed  sockets .

Same here.

Pressed out the hub first then the bearing, had to cut the inner race off the hub as it came out with the hub but it was a easy job I thought.

I have a cheap'o 8 ton press.

[smutts]

Please substitute anything in the Haynes book that says "simply tap out bearing with a suitable drift" with
"GIVE IT RAGE WITH 25 TON HYDRAULIC PRESS" :twisted:

Why are VW wheel bearings so naff? :roll: