Rear Wheel Bearing Frustration

Perhaps not important, but the car in question is a '74 standard beetle w/ IRS.

Harry

I can only imagine that the race has become cocked in the bore as they are usually not a tight fit. See if you can drift it back in till it seats solidly all the way around. Then drift (lightly) from the back side to push it out, working your way around the race. Watch the outer end to see if there is any movement at all.

Run up to the BigBox and buy a propane or MAPgas torch as a last resort.

Speedy Jim

Thanks Speedy, you always earn your name.

Once I took a fourth look at things I finally saw what I was doing wrong. I didn't realize the bearing cap could/needed to be removed...once that was out of the way the bearing race came out easily. One of those boy-do-I-feel-stupid moments. To help those who come after, I might suggest making it explicit in your instructions that the bearing cap should be removed. The bearing cap is mentioned, but its removal is only implied rather than being spelled out. Your page was still a big help and I appreciate the moral support.

Peace, Harry

Maybe not real 'tight' but the outer race certainly needs to be snug in the bore. If it takes a light rap with a hammer to drive it home then it should be fine.

If the outer race flops around in the bore you can wrap it in feeler gauge stock of the needed thickness to obtain a proper fit. Enco sells it...but it comes packaged as a 25 foot roll. I don't where you could buy a smaller quantity.

Last time I ran into that problem I was able to get some feeler stock made by LS Starrett that worked just fine.

Chris