924Board.org

[Andre']

Just ordered everything I need to replace my rear wheel bearings including the bearing removal tool from Bruce Arnn, and started the disassembly. I have a 2-3 week time window before my other car returns from the body shop.

Just received this email from Bruce: "Andre... we sold out of those this week and are having problems with our waterjet. It looks like we are going to be delayed 2 or 3 weeks - I don't have an exact date. Would you like for me to refund your money or do you want to wait it out?...Bruce"

I'm having a problem now! The car is in pieces, and I cannot wait that long to get this bearing removal tool in - is there anybody out there that is willing to sell his specialty tool? Or if not willing to sell, how about making it a loaner tool for some $$$, and I pay for all S&H? Alternatives to this tool?! Every help will be greatly appreciated.

Regards, Andre'

[Cedric]

Can you do it without the tool? I did it on my 931 last weekend without anything special..
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1980 924 Turbo
www.instagram.com/garagecedric/

[Andre']

I could but would have to remove the aluminum trailing arms to press out the bearings. Something I do not want to do...

[Rasta Monsta]

If you can heat the arm enough the bearings will fall out.
_________________
Toofah King Bad

• WeiBe (1987 924S 2.5t) - 931 S3

[Andre']

Heating up the arms didn't do the trick last time I've replaced bearings. These bearings are tough to get out...

[gohim]

I've been playing with the tools to remove and install the wheel bearings on VW FWD cars (while the steering knuckle/bearing carrier is still on the car) for the past year, and I suspect (I haven't tried it) that the Harbor Freight FWD Bearing Service Tool Set, OR one of the Balljoint and U-Joint Service Tool Sets the Harbor Freight sells would provide you with an adapter assortment and press that you could use to remove and replace the sealed wheel bearings from the rear of a 924S (or 944, 951, etc..).

You'd be getting more tools than you need, and (I don't know what the Arnworks tool sells for) you might pay more than the specialized single use Arnworks tool might cost, BUT you would be getting a set of Tools with more than a single purpose.

I suggest that you go to the Harbor Freight Website, download and review the user's manuals for the FWD Bearing Tool Service Set, and the two or three Balljoint and U-Joint Service Sets that they offer. Then go to a local Harbor Freight store with one of the wheel bearings you want to install, and see if the adapters included in the kits will fit the wheel bearing, and that the press that's included has the dimensions you need to fit onto the trailing arms.

In the past I haven't had any trouble removing the rear wheel bearings from steel trailing arms. The alloy trailing arms of 924s and later 944s look to be a different story. I can't see putting a touch on the alloy arms like many people do on the steel arms.

[Paul]

The 924S rear wheel bearing is just that a single bearing:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/smart/more_info.cgi?pn=999-053-020-01-M34&catalog_description=Rear%20Wheel%20Bearing%20%28%32%20per%20car%2C%20sold%20individually%29%2C%20%39%32%34S%2C%20%39%34%34%20%28from%20%32%2F%38%35%29%2C%20%39%34%34S%2FS%32%2C%20%39%34%34%20Turbo%2C%20%39%36%38%29%2C%20Each%20
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White 87 924S "Ghost"
Silver 98 986 3.6l 320 HP "Frank N Stein"
White 01 986 "Christine"
Polar Silver 02 996TT. "Turbo"
Owned and repaired 924s since 1977
Porsche: It's not driving, it's therapy.

[Rasta Monsta]

Well, when I took my Al arms to the machinist, he heated them and said the bearings fell out, and the new ones dropped in.

FWIW, this is the FSM procedure.
_________________
Toofah King Bad

• WeiBe (1987 924S 2.5t) - 931 S3

[Paul]

Yep heat is used, but the FSM specifies some special tools and a press. I've never used them....always find something around the shop that works.
_________________
White 87 924S "Ghost"
Silver 98 986 3.6l 320 HP "Frank N Stein"
White 01 986 "Christine"
Polar Silver 02 996TT. "Turbo"
Owned and repaired 924s since 1977
Porsche: It's not driving, it's therapy.

[Andre']

Different approach - I'm building my own bearing puller/bearing press. Similar to Arnworx...

Thanks for your advice!

[Andre']

Finally...

With lots of oil on the allthread, some ellbow grease, and some heat carefully applied to the trailing arm - the old bearings are out. Turned out easier than I thought...

Thanks again for your help!

[Paul]

Did you remove the arms from the car or do them in place?
_________________
White 87 924S "Ghost"
Silver 98 986 3.6l 320 HP "Frank N Stein"
White 01 986 "Christine"
Polar Silver 02 996TT. "Turbo"
Owned and repaired 924s since 1977
Porsche: It's not driving, it's therapy.

[Andre']

[bell]

Here's the trick to do all porsche rear wheel bearings.....and cheaply....

Get a cheap slide hammer (harbor freight makes one)....if you go with that one use the long threaded nut not the disc nut.
You'll need a thick threaded rod too...or similar tool.

Get some mapp gas with a good nozzle....oxy/acet is faster though...

First simply slide hammer out the spindle (this will separate the old bearing in 2)

Then setup the slide hammer against the remaining part of the bearing left in the hub....

Heat up the area around the bearing being carefull around e-brake shoes...
After about 5-10 minutes of heating the bearing will pop out with one good hit of the slide hammer.....

For the install.....
Have bearing in the freezer for 30-60 minutes (overnight works too LOL), the key temp to simply slide it in is 350deg F, so heat the hub up good on the inside surface, a digital touchless thermometer helps if you have one......have an assistant grab the bearing out of the freezer as you keep the hub hot as you only get one shot, after about 1.5 seconds of sliding the bearing in the hub the bearing will be stuck, so line it up visually and be quick....
If the bearing gets stuck before you get it in you'll need to use the threaded rod and an accurately sized piece to tighten against the OUTER part of the bearing to get it place....if this happens it becomes a pia and needs muscle usually....

Use a thick threaded rod with washers (like the ones used with the slide hammer) and use to pull the spindle into the bearing installed in the hub. I use an air impact gun and it pulls it right in.....

Reinstall axle...brake components....done

I can swap a bearing from start to finish in 1-1.5 hours generally.....

[Joes924Racer]

I love it when a task that has you bothered goes over as smooth as this one. Andre all that worry was for nothin ... except it got the job done 4 u.
_________________
1979 porsche 924 Na
1980 porsche Turbo 931GT Replica
Have u ever driven a turbo.