Front Wheel Bearings

[WYSpider]

I am having trouble getting the cap that covers the wheel bearing nut off. Is there a particular trick to it? Screw drivers don't seem to work....

[ventura ace]

Did you try bumping it sideways with a big rubber mallet, or holding it top and bottom with a large set of channel lock pliers, or grabbing the circumference down close to the hub with channel locks and try to rotate back and forth? Once you get it to start moving, I thnk you'll be able to wiggle it out. I like prying with 2 big flat blade screwdrivers from opposite sides, but sounds like you've been trying that.

Alvon

[jctucker]

All of Alvon's ideas are great. Another (but be careful) is to take a small, old screwdriver or chisel, place it between lip of the hub and the lip of the cap and use a mallet to create a small gap. This helps to get a bigger screwdriver in to wiggle it out. This method works well if you're replacing the cap anyways.

[WYSpider]

Thanks for the ideas. Have pretty much decided to replace them once I get them off since they are so stuck and 30 years old.

[WYSpider]

Finally got the grease cap off.

Two more questions.

Q1: What size is the wheel bearing nut - need to buy a socket that will fit.
Q2: What type of grease should I repack with? Heard something about fish oil/grease from an old Fiat mechanic...

[digitech]

Sorry, can't remember the size of the nut; in regards to the grease, I'd forget about whatever it was he told you about and use any of the wheel bearing greases you find at the auto parts houses that you like. I tend toward a good quality modern synthetic myself.

[redcars]

Just in case you did't know the left wheel nut is left hand threads.

[Estaban]

Just in case you did't know the left wheel nut is left hand threads.

on my 850 it's the right hand that turns backwards.

I did my wheel bearings last week-end and how I removed my caps is with a blunt screwdriver and small hammer. I tilted the blade away from the car (knock the cap out off the hub) and gave it a one or two sharp hits then turn it and repeat. You don't want to stay in one spot or use a good sharp blade or you will dent and/or knock a hole in the cap.

Forgot to tell you the socket size... and I just forgot what it was. 19 or 20mm I think 20mm

[majicwrench]

Really you do not need a socket for the bearing nut, as it DOES NOT need to be very tight. It is way tooo easy for people to overtighten em...follow directions in manuals if in doubt. Pair of chanell locks or big pliers work well.

[WYSpider]

Majicwrench I was planning on torquing it to specs.