Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Anyone changed the rear wheel bearings on alloy trailing arms?

I have read on another forum the arm can be heated up in situ and the bearing simply pushed out. But I imagine that will be more heat than I could get in to it doing it at home.

Any tips?

Rich

Hi Rich,

Never used it, but Arnnworx have a tool to help with this http://arnnworx.com/BearingTool1.htm

I just gave mine to the mechanic to do. Wasn't expensive, got the rear bearings from ECP, £75 inc VAT and after discount. Then there was fitting costs, but I also had the rear discs and brakes all done at the same time - probably the cheapest way to get the jobs done actually. I would think that 944S2 and 968 are the same. Just out of interest, they're the same wheel bearings as a BMW 5-series - and that's what it says on the box.

Hi,

Done one a few years ago, I think there's a write up on clarkes for the procedure, but yes you can heat it up in situ (I used an electric paint stripper gun). I then used a slide hammer to get the old bearing out, the new one you keep in the freezer overnight and with a bit of persuasion it should go in. Best of luck.

Rich,

Personally I'd advise taking the arm off. If its stubborn coming out you'll regret trying with it fitted. A freezer & a press are very handy tools for this job.

Hi Ant,

That's what I'm thinking, I can shot blast the arm while its off as well.

Rich

If you make 1 arm look nice you'll have to do the other one too....
I've never successfully changed a rear bearing in situ.

Rich, get them both off and change them both if you can't prove the other one has been done. Get them balsted and painted and gives you a cahnce to get all the galvanic corrosion off on the spring plate too. Also lets you free up all the suspension adjusters too. The big nut holding the stub axle through the hub also gets a right roasting before I take them off, makes them come off easily.
Alasdair

OK Rear caliper + disc removed, Hub nut removed, drive shaft off.

How do I get the hub off? I assume its just pushed on to the rear wheel bearing.

Big hammer and socket?

Rich

Yep, you're right, it is just pushed on. But if its anything like my one a complete pain to remove. I tried a slide hammer at first, but its difficult to keep it in place, so ended up using a 2 legged puller. This worked but it took part of the bearing with it which I had to dremel off. Hopefully yours will be easier!

Unfortunately not, with a bit of heat the bearing slid straight out with the hub! Guess I need a press now!

Rich

Be careful using heat on bearings everybody. If the grease gets too hot it can explode the bearing. I'm not using the word 'explode' lightly.

How did it go? I'm changing a rear bearing on mine on saturday.
Rich.

Well I have got the old one out but not had time to put the new in.

You'll need a 32mm socket with a long bar - the one I used was about 4ft and came undone easily.

Pull the caliper and disc off. Removed the handbrake assembly.

Heated the control arm for about 15mins with a hot air gun, the bearing tapped out fairly easily from behind.

Could not get the hub out the bearing had to get it pressed out.

Assembly this weekend.

Rich