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Hi all, What would you expect to pay a mechanic to install front wheel bearings on one side? I have been quoted $300 + and it seems a bit steep.
Don't have jackstands, breaker bar, 36 mill socket , hole punch, brass drift but waying up cost of purchase vs mechanic?

I reckon you'd definitely beat $300 doing it yourself and buying the tools.

Basically the tradeoff is you'd have to sweat it out doing it, but you get to keep the tools for next time or having peace of mind knowing that if the new bearing fails its a warranty job....


I'd do it myself, but thats because my cars never go to the mechanic.

Well it cost me $47 from repco and 1 1/2 hours to change the front left
bearing .
You must make sure that you get the correct bearing package for your car.
The mechanic will charge you for 2 hours labour and retail on the bearings.
its not a hard job to do but you must take your time to make it hassel free.
Cheers Pete

Counterpoint,

I'd pay a mechanic to do it. It's an annoying, filthy messy job that just sucks - but don't pay $300.

Here's a tip: Remove the steering knuckle from the car yourself and take that into the mechanic. If you've got a good mechanic it'll save you $$.

sounds like Muddy is a bit better off than some of us others

MY and I suppose L series FWBearing kit under $50

Buy /borrow 3/4" breaker bar and 36mm socket and cheapy punch and do it yourself when got time to spare and a clean place to work. Do it once and you'll be have no fear to do the other side , or your mates at a later date.

Just make sure the spacer between the two bearings is not discarde and goes back where it was, and that if bearings are not pregreased that you wash them in solvent, best not petrol, to remove protective coating from stopping your hi temp wheel bearing grease sticking to bearing.

When knocking pin back, shaft should have a shampher one one side of hole to match a champher on outside of DOJ dbl offset joint bit to help line up the right way

Thanks everyone, funds are low so I think I will tackle the job myself. I worked that pin trick the hard way doing the rear bearing ages ago (uncles tools). Are the fronts much harder than the rear?

Fronts are a lot easier than the rear. You do have to knock the bearings out from opposite sides of the hub though. Go and buy a $3 10 inch 1/2 extension from Supercheap and use that to get the old bearing out. There is a good chance you will damage the ends of it, so don't use one you like.

Once you have the hub off and sitting on the ground (vice is better if you have one), put the extension through the bearing on one side and hit the bearing on the opposite side out.

It will knock the seals out with it as it goes.

When you put the new gear back in take a bit more care so you don't damage the new bearings or seals.

It is a good time to do ball joints if they are suspect as they will be pretty much out any way once you have the hub off.

fronts are easy compared to the rear

just do it yaself, shell be apples

Another idea might be to get sealed baarings, about same price and no where near the mess...... and you know they are packed right

I have been told that the sealed ones are a whole lot more expensive... I will be getting some in the next few days so i will let you guys know.

Dave

Dave I got mine for like $50 ea for the kit, but that was after i hunted around a bit.

But the WA Subaru gang is used to very cheap parts in this area....:P I used to get the standard bearings around $20 a kit per side.

Any luck on those sealed bearings? Sounds like a great idea as I have to quite a few flooded creeks to get to my father in laws. Fronts easier than rear, woohoo, rear was no problem, I thought the front would be harder because of all the steering stuff. Thanks heaps guys I'll definately do it myself then.

greg

then i am the lucky one as all i did was buy the bearing kits & the then watch someone do it for me free of charge

ps i do look after his computer

I got some bearings over the weekend.
Cost was about $24 each. I had the choice between the rubber seals and the metal seals. I went with the metal ones... apparently the rubber seals were a few dollars more expensive.

Here is a pic of them.
http://community.webshots.com/photo/525 ... 5049tXdJAZ

Dave

For those that dont put sealed bearings in (ie grease them themselves) put it in, make sure that absolutely no dirt/sand/etc gets into the grease. Small point, but it will save you having to skim the hub and redo the bearings later.

Mental note to self. Next time get sealed bearings. Did my passenger side on the weekend.. driver's side a couple of months ago. No dramas. I'm getting quicker. Bought the socket and breaker bar and have found the bar to be a really useful tool... knocking out the bearings for starters.
Separating the ball joint and occasionally hitting myself in the head with (I love the ringing sound)
As muddy said.. it's a bugger of a job but quite satisfying when you pull away and you don't have to listen to the hum (grind) of a wheel bearing and all you can hear is road noise. Now I can go back to listening to the EA81 rattle.. grrrr