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Wheel bearing replacement

I need to replace the wheel bearings on the drivers side of my '94 Jetta. Is this a DIY job? As far as I can tell, I'd need to unbolt at the tie rod end, ball joint, and strut, and I'd also need to buy one large socket (31mm?) for the castellated nut on the hub. My big concern is unbolting the strut. Will it decompress and come down further, or can I just undo the 2 bolts at the bottom? I don't mind paying for someone to press the bearings in, but the local stealership wants $210 Canadian for labor to replace 1 side.

Any help would be appreciated.

Mike Kayer '94 Jetta CL

Reply to
MK
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If you're willing to take the spindle/hub to a shop and get it pressed out then it should be no problem. Mark where the ball joint bolts go and you probably won't be too far off or may even be right on as far as alignment.

The strut isn't going to disassemble or anything when you unbolt it from the spindle so you should not be creating a big problem when you unbolt that.

I've seen it done with the bearing press tool on the car and really don't think it's that much less trouble. Most people can't separate the bearing's inner race from the hub and end up buying a new hub or taking that part to a shop anyway. Call around and see what the rates are--not everybody's prices are going to be the same and to make sure that the place you want to take it will have somebody there to press it while you wait. A couple of places I called on a Saturday had somebody who could run the press but wouldn't because they were the only person behind the counter and it was too busy. One place let me press it myself, even gave me some assistance. That's pretty unusual these days... insurance and litigation concerns and all...

Reply to
Bob Hetzel

Parts are $69 for hub and $45 for the bearing kit from German auto parts. You will need the hub as you destroy the ABS sensor ring when removing, easier to buy new than repair the old, $50(approx) tool rental including shipping 1 way from Rapidparts. Takes less than an hour, no alignment needed. Your call.

gary

Reply to
lakemcd

It's a Jetta CL, so it doesn't have ABS....

- Peter

Reply to
Peter Cressman

Not sure if you're close to Orangeville, but I always get my VR6 repairs done at Total Mechanical Services. Give Johnny a call at

1-888-227-8989. His shop rates are way cheaper than any VW dealer, I think it's around $65/hour. I've had a couple of wheel bearings done there (amongst many other repairs). They only do VW and Audi. Great service, free loaner. What more could you ask for? I highly recommmend them for you VW/Audi owners. And no, I don't work there....

Reply to
TomVu

Reply to
TomVu

hmmm I just did a 94 Jetta front wheel bearing yesterday and the ABS sensor ring was fine after repairs. I must have been lucky with all of the ones that I have done. ;-) Yes take it off and let someone else press out and in the new bearing. much cheaper that way if you don't rent the tool to do it on the vehicle. JMHO later, dave

Reply to
Dave

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