• From: Ontario, Canada
  • Registered: 2005-06-11
  • Posts: 266

Topic: Rear Wheel Bearing Replacement

I've done a quick search but havent found any 'step by step' posts on this subject, so I just thought I'd ask if anyone had a url, or could walk me through the procedure for doing rear wheel bearings on a swingline rear end.

I've checked the few manuals I have and they say there are 'special parts required' so I'm not sure what the deal is.  If someone could explain why that is....

I've been looking for a decent shop locally to do it, and havent found anything... so its time for me to man up and learn how to do my own wheel bearings.

Any help appreciated smile

-biggie

thebignic's Website

  • From: Colorado Springs, CO
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 3,622

Re: Rear Wheel Bearing Replacement

Biggie: What is your concern with your rear bearings? Noise? Vibration? Are you sure it's the bearings? In my opinion, the biggest issues are pulling the bearings and making sure that you assemble all the parts in the proper sequence. Muir's Idiot book describes the fabrication of a puller out of a few bolts and steel plate. I tried to make one and didn't have much luck with it. I rented a puller and the job took 10 minutes. Both sides!

As for reassembly there are many exploded diagrams out there including the ones found in the Bentley's.

You might also want to look at this discussion:
http://www.vw-resource.com/rear_suspension.html#swing.

Clancy

  • From: Malaysia
  • Registered: 2006-06-28
  • Posts: 143

Re: Rear Wheel Bearing Replacement

Rookie question - on the rear of a swing axle, are there 2 bearings per wheel (inner and outer, like the front) or just one?

And the bearings don't need to be packed, right? They are lubricated by transmission oil instead?

  • From: Washington, Indiana
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 1,425

Re: Rear Wheel Bearing Replacement

only one bearing, lubricated with the transmission oil, yes.
                                                                                            yancey

Yancey's Website

  • From: Malaysia
  • Registered: 2006-06-28
  • Posts: 143

Re: Rear Wheel Bearing Replacement

Thank you!

Last edited by eugenicz (2007-03-01 22:01:39)

  • From: Ontario, Canada
  • Registered: 2005-06-11
  • Posts: 266

Re: Rear Wheel Bearing Replacement

My concern stems from a *very loud* squeak thats been getting progressively worse, coming from the rear drivers side wheel.  The car was lowered and for a while, I thought it was actually just the tire rubbing the inside of the fender. I've slightly pulled the fender out, away from the wheel so that it would not rub, but still getting the noise.  Its not really a rubbery squeak either, its a very shrill metal on metal sound.   



Thanks for info smile

-biggie

thebignic's Website

  • From: Austin, TX USA
  • Registered: 2004-03-30
  • Posts: 240

Re: Rear Wheel Bearing Replacement

Hi Biggie,
It would help to know the year and make of the car in question; that having been said, the Bug Me Videos do an excellent job of walking one through the procedure. That and a Bentley manual, and you should be set to either decide to do the work or be armed with the knowledge that you'd rather have a shop do it.
Cheers,
-David