Bad Justin

anyone got a line on a pass side front?

Audi Logic

not that bad of a job but the pinch bolt on the control arm is a @%$&*.. the bearing came out and went in pretty easy..
got the tool from harbor freight and the bearing from AutohausAZ, took 3.5-4 hours of my time.. 3 of which was trying to get the pinch bolt off..

DennisStehlik

having the right tools is the most important thing. I found that having a really good air impact wrench is the key. Should have 1000 ft lbs or more to squeezing the bearing out and back in. The pinch bolt is a pain. you will need a very long and very strong bar. I actually use an old airplane nose gear strut to do the job. It is about 3 inches diameter and 6 ft long. Works great with a good sized friend standing on the end to push it down/out and back in. Be REALLY careful you dont get your fingers in there, especially when putting it back together (for it is way tempting to try to allign it with your fingers) Best of luck. have fun.

TooManyAudis

a Wheel Bearing R&R is one of the few Jobs that I gladly give to those with the right tools.

There's a Tire and Brake Shop near me that will press the bearing in and out for $25 if I give them the strut out of the car, or they will use their hub shark to do it with the strut left on the car for $60 or so.

I supply the bearing to make sure it's a good quality part.

I usually wander on over to the mechanic while he is working on the car to lend advice and give moral support.

In and out in about than an hour, and well worth the few dollars spent.

-- Tom Werner
Charleston SC

1988 80q in need of a new home
1995 A6q 5-speed -- queen of the interstates

Audi Logic

I considered that, the quotes I got were all over $300, no one would install my part..

J@RO

Is this still in the states? I heard that the mechs are now charging $80 an hour in tristate...WOW

TooManyAudis

I can't imagine that it takes much over an hour to do the job.

Of course, the Hub Shark may be a tool that cheats book time for this particular job.

Most Mechanics won't install your parts, but an independent tire and brake shop may be a different matter, especially if you bring them the strut and all they do is press the bearing out and in. I always use the excuse that I was going to do this when I drive the car up to the shop, with the strut attached, waiting for their mechanic to do the job.

If you found a place that would the labor for $100 or even $125, by all means take them up on the job. If a shop insists on using their parts, they justify their profit on that part against a warranty that if anything goes wrong, they will fix it for free. Depending on the cost of the part from them, that's not always a bad deal.

The wheel bearing R&R is a PITA. A shop will have the tools, the air compressor, the lift and everything needed to do it correctly (although you may need to watch over the job to make sure it's done to your standards).

Where do you live? Maybe someone here could recommend a shop that will work with you.

-- Tom