We learned a lot!
Pictures
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=180791&a=6645472
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=128904&a=6640980
Tools
There are a few you have to have
1 3/8 inch allen wrench for the brake caliper
2 one inch and square wrench for the OTC puller
3 Two pri-bars to remove the hub
4 wrench for the seal retainer
5 wire close hanger to hang the caliper
6 bearing grease packer
7 Ball joint tool
8 3/8-16 tap
9 two large cotter keys
10 3/4 box end wrench
11 1 1/16 socket for ball joint
12 side cutters and needle nose for cotter key
13 9/16 end wrench
14 1 1/2 socket ( we had this)
15 torque wrench (we had this)
16 grease gun
17 pitman arm puller
Removing the Bearings
We removed the hub from the knuckle and then the problems began. The
bearings were very tight on the spindle because they were slightly rusted
in at the top. We first used the OTC puller to try and remove the
bearings. We used an 18 inch wrench and with all of the force we could
use, we could not remove the bearings. We next used the Thoma bearing
puller and used a two foot, 3/4 inch , ratchet wrench and finally removed
the bearings. The Thoma worked better because we were able to put a
socket on the puller bolt and did not have to go in from the side.
Press on the Bearings
We started using the OTC to press on the bearings as per the GMC and
Cinnabar instructions. Again the bearings were so tight it was very hard
to use the open end wrench on the OTC puller and we were unable to use an
electric ratchet because the pushing nut is only available from the side.
Also, there was no guide to keep the two bearings and spacer aligned up
while we were using all of this force to press on the bearings. Finally
this old Fart got tired of all of this work and put on the Thoma puller
with the alignment plug, and pressing cup , and used the electric impact
wrench to spin on the bearings.
I can see why Thoma designed his puller to use an impact wrench and
Warner's new design uses hydraulic jacks for this job. You might change
your bearings one time using the OTC puller, but you would not want to do
it every day. This is really hard work.. The impact wrench and the
alignment plugs and fixtures make all of the difference
Inside Seal
No where did it show or tell how to insert the inside seal through the hub.
The manual says it is possible with a tool no longer available, or you
could make something. We did not replace the inside seal which is not too
good. I am going to ask an old veteran how they do this without removing
the knuckle.
Clearly the inner seal is a problem. We will have to go back sometime and
fix this. With out removing the knuckle, it is very difficult to replace
this seal and make it seat correctly. I am going to buy an electric impact
wrench to carry with me. This is really hard work. We still need to get
the final design on the PVC bearing packer. I like it better than the
inexpensive two cone versions or doing it by hand. Stay tuned, there is
more to come.
Next time I will read Rich and Betty's step by step instructions better and
I will have a tool and parts list.
http://www.california.com/~eagle/front.html bearing
gene
Genef -- 77PB/ore/ca
GMC MOTORHOME INFORMATION
mr.erf
http://www.california.com/~eagle/
Pictures
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=180791&a=6645472
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=128904&a=6640980
Tools
There are a few you have to have
1 3/8 inch allen wrench for the brake caliper
2 one inch and square wrench for the OTC puller
3 Two pri-bars to remove the hub
4 wrench for the seal retainer
5 wire close hanger to hang the caliper
6 bearing grease packer
7 Ball joint tool
8 3/8-16 tap
9 two large cotter keys
10 3/4 box end wrench
11 1 1/16 socket for ball joint
12 side cutters and needle nose for cotter key
13 9/16 end wrench
14 1 1/2 socket ( we had this)
15 torque wrench (we had this)
16 grease gun
17 pitman arm puller
Removing the Bearings
We removed the hub from the knuckle and then the problems began. The
bearings were very tight on the spindle because they were slightly rusted
in at the top. We first used the OTC puller to try and remove the
bearings. We used an 18 inch wrench and with all of the force we could
use, we could not remove the bearings. We next used the Thoma bearing
puller and used a two foot, 3/4 inch , ratchet wrench and finally removed
the bearings. The Thoma worked better because we were able to put a
socket on the puller bolt and did not have to go in from the side.
Press on the Bearings
We started using the OTC to press on the bearings as per the GMC and
Cinnabar instructions. Again the bearings were so tight it was very hard
to use the open end wrench on the OTC puller and we were unable to use an
electric ratchet because the pushing nut is only available from the side.
Also, there was no guide to keep the two bearings and spacer aligned up
while we were using all of this force to press on the bearings. Finally
this old Fart got tired of all of this work and put on the Thoma puller
with the alignment plug, and pressing cup , and used the electric impact
wrench to spin on the bearings.
I can see why Thoma designed his puller to use an impact wrench and
Warner's new design uses hydraulic jacks for this job. You might change
your bearings one time using the OTC puller, but you would not want to do
it every day. This is really hard work.. The impact wrench and the
alignment plugs and fixtures make all of the difference
Inside Seal
No where did it show or tell how to insert the inside seal through the hub.
The manual says it is possible with a tool no longer available, or you
could make something. We did not replace the inside seal which is not too
good. I am going to ask an old veteran how they do this without removing
the knuckle.
Clearly the inner seal is a problem. We will have to go back sometime and
fix this. With out removing the knuckle, it is very difficult to replace
this seal and make it seat correctly. I am going to buy an electric impact
wrench to carry with me. This is really hard work. We still need to get
the final design on the PVC bearing packer. I like it better than the
inexpensive two cone versions or doing it by hand. Stay tuned, there is
more to come.
Next time I will read Rich and Betty's step by step instructions better and
I will have a tool and parts list.
http://www.california.com/~eagle/front.html bearing
gene
Genef -- 77PB/ore/ca
GMC MOTORHOME INFORMATION
mr.erf
http://www.california.com/~eagle/
