The biggest problem is getting the grease off your hands when repacking the
wheel bearings!  As I have a couple of trailers and various other cars I
bought a regular "wheel bearing packer" from the FLAPS that makes the job of
repacking the bearings much easier.  You will need to clean out the hub
completely of all old grease prior to removing the old races.  I just use a
long punch with a big hammer to drive out the races.  There "should" be a
couple of notches to allow 180 degree punches to the race surface.  I also
have both 1/2 and 3/4 drive sockets, among which I can usually find a socket
with an extension to seat the race.

Route 66 Rider!
Ramon Hill
Live Long and Be Free
==============================================
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
mordo
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2007 2:24 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Front wheel bearings

Makes sense to me.

So, is removing the races a simple as it seems to be? any tips and tricks? I
think I noticed a recent post that mentioned splitting the old race with a
Dremel tool and then using it to seat the new race?

cheers.
==============================================================
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Allen Hill <route66rider@knology.net>
Date: Jun 4, 2007 12:18 PM
Subject: RE: Front wheel bearings
To: mordo <helmut.blong@gmail.com>, vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com

ALWAYS replace both pieces of the bearing!  Did I say ALWAYS?  If one half
is worn, the other will be just as bad.  Makes some type of sense doesn't
it?

Route 66 Rider!
Ramon Hill
Live Long and Be Free
============================================================
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
mordo
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2007 10:49 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Front wheel bearings

The driver side front wheel bearing has gone bad after maybe 1500 miles. The
swap was done by a local, un-tried mechanic. We did not replace races. Is it
considered necessary to replace the races with the bearings or is it just a
good practice?

--
mordo
1990 Carat