Re: [T3] [T-3] suspension bearings and retainer

["Leon Martinez B." <martinezl@icanet.com.mx>]

Russ ,
you hit it on the nail !!!

I spent 5 hours today at the junkyard trying
to figure out how to change a hub puller
with a slide hammer into a VW beam bearing
puller. I tried many many desparate combinations.
I even bought a standard bearing puller for
20 bucks and adapted it to my slide hammer.
No success !!! The fingers would not fit in the hole 
properly. The fingers were not flat against
the back of the bearings but at in angle and kept
popping out.

I changed types of puller tips using washers I found
laying in the dirt, no avail they would pop out the
bearing .  I decided to use bigger washers that met 
the complete diameter of the  bearing , hammered 
two sides flat so the washer can be inserted in the
bearing , one problem It would not go in with
the slide hammer shaft together. I was working 
against the clock because the junkyard was closing.
I finally found success with a washer from a japanese
suspension. The washer had the same outer bearing diameter
and it had a large center hole . Hammered the heck 
out of the bearing to make two flat sides, the big center 
hole made the washer flop around the slide hammer shaft
and fit into the center of the bearing. A few light 
blows of my slide hammer knocked the bearing out
effortlessly, under 10 seconds for each bearing.
I did not know VW made this kind of tip for the
slide hammer, and I thought I invented it on the spot,
Oh well !!!! This was the most frantic bearing pull I have
ever done, and this was done while keeping the 
bearings very intact.

If anyones needs demensions for this I can give it.

I will install the "new" presine arm and bearing
tomorrow. By the way, the thrust bushing is very 
easy to remove with a screwdriver, these were made of 
aluminum and plastic. I think the bushing surface
can be replaced with large teflon washers from 
Home Depot if none are available, Its just good
lubricated plastic.

I will investigate at several industrial bearing
supply centers and regular industrial supply 
centers. My cousin is a general manager for one
of these centers in Tijuana. I have found 
impossible bearings before by just giving 
bearing measurements or a manufacturer
part number (not the vw number, the 'new' 
bearings have another bearing manufacturer
number besides the Vw number and the 
manufacturer name in germany). Lets see
what happens.


LEON MARTINEZ

1969 SQUAREBACK EFI/AUTO
SAN DIEGO AND TIJUANA
















-------------------------------------------------------------------
Too much? Digest! mailto:type3-d-request@vwtype3.org Subj=subscribe