B7 Wheel Bearing DIY?

[Blarg]

Had mine replaced under warranty today but warranty is over next month. If the other side goes out how hard is it to do?

Here is the wheel bearing kit from ECS Tuning, looks simple but I know how things can look simple...

http://www.ecstuning.com/product_library/24190/800/Wheel%20Bearing%20Kit%20-%20Priced%20Each.jpg

[rxer311]

I am not sure with this car but with my subaru a press was required to press the old bearing out. It is a simple job in theory but not one I would really want to tackle.

[Tusin]

Pretty sure our wheel bearings are the same as the B6 guys. I know you need a press to install them (yes even the fronts).

How did you know your wheel bearing was bad?

[Blarg]

Ok, that's what I figured. Anytime I turned right (forward or backward) I'd hear a quiet thump/thud but you'd have to listen for it because it was so faint. When my wife's wheel bearing went out there was the annoying humming wah wah sound.

[illegitimus]

Ok, that's what I figured. Anytime I turned right (forward or backward) I'd hear a quiet thump/thud but you'd have to listen for it because it was so faint. When my wife's wheel bearing went out there was the annoying humming wah wah sound. That sounds to me like a CV joint...

[Blarg]

Update: After they replaced the wheel bearing, the clunk was still there so took it back and they replaced the other bearing but no difference... I noticed that I can turn the wheel sharp right while parked and get the same noise so I'm think maybe a strut mount? Anyone ever had issues with the strut mount or have any ideas of what could cause the noise even while parked?

[Tusin]

I wouldn't think it would be a strut mount. Only time I have heard of that, are when people install a suspension kit and do not tighten down the strut nut all the way, but the clunks generally only come from bumps, not when turning the tire. How many miles are on your car?

Quattro is not the most silent system in the world (what 4wd system really is....), but I assume it wasn't doing it before and now it is.

Get the car in the air and spin the tire and listen for clicks (wheel turned in the direction that you have having issues). And/or with the car on the ground (or on ramps), reach under (you can do it from the engine bay if the drivers axle) and put a a set of vice grips on the axle and pull, see if the axle moves/wobbles.

Or it could be your control arms/tie-rod end. I would lean towards one of those.

[Blarg]

Thanks for the input, I'll give that a shot this weekend. My car has 49k miles on it.

[Winners Eat Pho]

I have the same thud/thunk on slow sharp turns. Mechanic said the front suspension is tight. Still unfound.

[Tusin]

Well I have the same issue on the drivers side (coincidence? I think not! lol). And am getting my front and rear upper control arms replaced this Friday (as long as the parts shows up). Will report back.

[Blarg]

Update: The problem is fixed, it was the steering rack. They did the wheel bearings first because of a TSB. Not sure why it went bad though?

[KiddEng]

Update: The problem is fixed, it was the steering rack. They did the wheel bearings first because of a TSB. Not sure why it went bad though?

was there alot of parts to change out for the steering rack? sorry i don't know what components are part of the steering rack. also is the damage to the rack visible when looking under the car?

[maidest]

I actaully had a similar issue and it was found that the steering rack was bent after fixing the bearings and control arms. And Yes if the car was jacked up with out the wheels on you could see it visibly bent.