Les, I agree that regular alignments are a great thing. But, here in central NJ I can't get one from a decent shop for less than $75-80. At the moment, my alignment feels fine, last alignment was about 2 years ago (but, since then I have put maybe 10,000 miles on the car).
Regards, Denis G. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Les Noriel" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2004 9:55 AM Subject: Re: [a2-16v-list] now Front Wheel Bearings > 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. > > > > _______________________________________________ > a2-16v-list mailing list > [email protected] > http://mail.a2-16v.com/mailman/listinfo/a2-16v-list > For list archives, see listinfo link above.
