I have the front wheel bearing tool. But I find that I don't use it to avoid alignments. I do save on labor costs associated with the bearing replacement. However, since alignments are only $45, saving such a small amount isn't enough of a motivation to go thru all of the extra effort.
I get alignments regularly. My reasoning is I save a little extra cost on the back end because my tires (Which are usually much more expensive than an alignment) last a bit longer. -Les -----Original Message----- From: Darner <[email protected]> Sent: Apr 19, 2004 8:55 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [a2-16v-list] Got a battery - now Front Wheel Bearings Denis- Actually, if you remove the axle nut, pop the carrier upward off the lower ball joint stub, pull out the two bolts through the top where it attaches to the strut proper (and pull off the outer tie rod end about like the ball joint), you won't need to realign. Unlike the A1s, the two upper bolts lack a rotation clearance or an eccentric head & washer end. Thus, they'll go back where they came from. The only critical item is doing the lower ball joint this way instead of removing the three small bolts from the end of the control arm (they WON'T likely wind up where they started!). This means that you can carry the bearing carrier into a shop with a large press. On mine, I do need to disconnect the roll stabilizer / anti-swaybar end to get the control arm to go far enough down, and I use a LARGE pry bar to lift the carrier off of and back onto the stub (a helper is very good to have!), but I haven't had to realign. Since the last time I did it, a friend bought the Schley tool - I may never need to bother again! A rental wasn't available locally when I needed one, or I'd have strongly considered renting. Ron ----- Original Message ----- From: "J. Simon, ESQ." <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, April 19, 2004 8:21 PM Subject: Re: [a2-16v-list] Got a battery - now Front Wheel Bearings > Denis, > > Call Techtonics (503-843-2700), they have a tool for rent > that I got a few months ago, worked as advertised!!!!.........Jack > > > > > >I need to replace a front wheel bearing. Naturally, > >I'd like to replace it while the bearing housing is on > >the car (so I don't need an alignment). I am not > >going to purchase the $300 Schley removal tool, nor > >the $80 Harbor Freight tool. What I am looking for is > >a place that rents them. I thought Rapid Parts used > >to rent tools, but there is nothing on their site > >about rentals. > _______________________________________________ > a2-16v-list mailing list > [email protected] > http://mail.a2-16v.com/mailman/listinfo/a2-16v-list > For list archives, see listinfo link above. > _______________________________________________ a2-16v-list mailing list [email protected] http://mail.a2-16v.com/mailman/listinfo/a2-16v-list For list archives, see listinfo link above.
