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front wheel bearings? 200 85

posted by  someone claiming to be Evan R on  Tue Dec 5 04:10 CST 2000 [RELATED]

Ok, I have diagnosed a bad noise coming from the front of my beater '85 as wheel bearings.

When I swapped on the winter tires, I noted that the front wheels were covered in grease. I'm thinking the grease seal failed, and the bearings are running dry.

While I realize that the proper procedure is the only real way to do this, I'm wondering if I can just get at the outer bearing to re-grease it and install a new seal WITOUT removing the caliper and rotor. Doing that would open up a whole kettle of fish on the old girl.

Should I slop some extra grease onto the spindles in hopes it will get to the inner bearings?

Help! It's -10F with the wind chill and I want to do this as quickly as possible!







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    Re: front wheel bearings? 200 85

    posted by  someone claiming to be Phil on  Thu Dec 7 13:06 CST 2000 [RELATED]

    If you can find a tool made by Camel. The flat tire repair people. It puts the grease into the back bearing. Its like a flat tube and curved. Its about 3/4 wide x 8" long and fits to your grease gun. If you can determine that the outside bearing was the worse, the tool might get you by till warmer weather. How fast should you go in the snow anyhow!







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    Re: front wheel bearings? 200 85

    posted by  someone claiming to be Don Foster on  Wed Dec 6 08:48 CST 2000 [RELATED]

    Evan --

    If you hear a bad noise, it's probably too late. I'd bet a warm one the bearings are toast, despite the chill factor. This means yanking the hubs and knocking out the cups, in addition to packing the new cones 'n races.



    Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)







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      Re: front wheel bearings? 200 85

      posted by  someone claiming to be Evan R on  Wed Dec 6 15:55 CST 2000 [RELATED]

      Nope. It means swapping in entire hubs from a donor car.







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        Re: front wheel bearings? 200 85

        posted by  someone claiming to be Don Foster on  Wed Dec 6 22:20 CST 2000 [RELATED]

        A good approach for one with a yard fulla donor cars. Still gotta fart around with the calipers 'n lines, unfortunately.

        Remember that Volvo changed hub size sometime around mid-'81, I think.



        Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)







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    Re: front wheel bearings? 200 85

    posted by  someone claiming to be keefus on  Wed Dec 6 08:36 CST 2000 [RELATED]

    Find someone with a garage willing to lend it to you for a day or so. Or you can let a local independent Volvo shop do it for you (more $$, less frostbite) :D







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    Re: front wheel bearings? 200 85

    posted by  someone claiming to be Tony H on  Tue Dec 5 05:29 CST 2000 [RELATED]

    I'm thinking, "No", the grease wont find it's way in. I know about your fear of opening a can of worms on a rusty bottomed beater but maybe you can find a refrigerator box to surround you from the wind chill. I've run a car until it warms up then tossed a tarp over it and worked under it. helped a little. Trouble in February could be a lot worse/colder.







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      Re: front wheel bearings? 200 85

      posted by  someone claiming to be MittenHed on  Tue Dec 5 06:33 CST 2000 [RELATED]

      A sheet of foam rubber type insulation on the ground is a good idea, and I always use an old bedspread underneath the car. Slightly improves cleanliness, makes finding stuff that falls easier, and when you are done, all the tools are in one place.

      Ever notice that stuff only breaks when the weather is worst?







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        Re: front wheel bearings? 200 85

        posted by  someone claiming to be Tony H on  Tue Dec 5 06:40 CST 2000 [RELATED]

        Oh sure, including your knuckles and your temper.







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    Re: front wheel bearings? 200 85

    posted by  someone claiming to be MittenHed on  Tue Dec 5 04:43 CST 2000 [RELATED]

    I can't see any shortcut here. Most attempts to get grease into the inner bearing would also get crud in there. Also it would be a worse hassel to try to get some seal to hold after cutting it and sliding it in.

    IMHO simpler and easier not to look for shortcuts. 10 degrees F isn't nice, but I've had some luck wearing rubber gloves over knitted wool liners.






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