carfreak85 Posted September 13, 2005 Share Posted September 13, 2005 Does anyone have any hints or advice for replacing the front wheels bearings on a 4WD EA81? The FSM mentions having the bearings pressed out. Does this necessitate a hydrolic press or can you get the bearings out at home in the basement? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowman Posted September 13, 2005 Share Posted September 13, 2005 The EA81 wheel bearings should be pretty much like the EA82 bearings, which can be removed and installed with a large drift punch. Whatever you do, DON'T pound on the inner races of the new bearings, as this will deform the balls and the bearings will last about 10,000 miles. It's an easy job. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Posted September 13, 2005 Share Posted September 13, 2005 Yeah, a drift is fine. Make sure you tap them out straight (work the drift around the bearing) or else they'll get stuck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoobywagon Posted September 13, 2005 Share Posted September 13, 2005 You can remove the bearings without a press, but its a LOT easier with one. As someone else said, you need to drive the old bearings out straight or they get stuck. YOu also need to make sure that you do NOT apply any pressure to the inner race of the bearings. Also, you will want to try to not scratch the inner wall of the knuckle. The first time I did this, I used an old gasket scraper that I had ground the edge off of. I just ground it down to a round edge with rounded corners. USed that and a large(ish) hammer to drive the bearings right out. Large sockets come in handy for reinstalling the new bearings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seahag1978 Posted September 13, 2005 Share Posted September 13, 2005 I'm not sure if the ea81 is the same as the ea71 but you can't press them out. They have to removed by pounding them from the inside out, there's a shoulder that separates the two sets. A socket extension works well to remove them. You can also use the old bearing to get the new one started in evenly. Cover it with some plastic wrap so you don't contaminate the new one with the old gunk. Be sure to get good bearings, like Timken. A set I got from Autozone lasted under 100 miles, even with professional installation. Oh, use hi-temp grease made for bearings too, the previous owner of my car used regular grease and they also failed in under 100 miles. Good luck! Mary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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