wheel hub advice - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Greedough · 10-16-2009, 04:04 PM

I have a 1991 Celica ST that I bought for $350 over 6 years ago. It is about time to pass it on, but I need it to make it through the winter. Unfortunately my front wheel bearing disintegrated on me, and now I am left with some investment options. I took off the steering knuckle and hub and brought them into my local machine shop to have a new bearing pressed in. They said that they do not want to press the new bearing on, because the wheel hub is worn... you can slide the bearing about halfway onto the hub before there is resistance. I have been having a hard time finding a replacement hub other than the toyota dealership, and they want $168.87. Would it be a bad idea to go ahead and have the bearing pressed on to the old hub? I don't need the thing to last forever.

Pineapple · 10-16-2009, 04:12 PM

Depends on how worn it is. Loctite has product for shaft/bearing in slightly worn bore. Also the machine shop could open the bore and put a sleeve in for the bearing. You can also epoxy/JB Weld the bearing in.

TBayToyotaBoy · 10-16-2009, 04:46 PM

No u-pull-it scrap yards near you? They usually only charge $10 or $15 for a steering knuckle...I just got a pair for $20 last week for when (not if) mine go.

Greedough · 10-23-2009, 11:49 AM

I tried the local U-Pull-It's and salvage yards, and had zero luck. I've decided that I'm going to take Pineapple's advice on using the Loctite method... unfortunately the machine shop won't do the work due to liability. So now I am looking into using an arbor press to get the job done myself. I know that Harbor Freight has a 1 ton for cheap, but will that be enough?

Pineapple · 10-23-2009, 12:00 PM

Get a shop to weld the bearing in.

TBayToyotaBoy · 10-23-2009, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pineapple

Get a shop to weld the bearing in.

I LIKE YOUR STYLE!

Rick89GTS · 10-26-2009, 08:41 PM

Try www.1sttoyoatparts.com for the hub; their prices are quite good. Other online places arw cheaper than your $168 quote.

Or just buy the new hub; afterall, you got the car for cheap, you're still ahead.

sircrashalot9090 · 10-27-2009, 10:53 AM

DONT weld the bearing in, in order for the bearing to work for an extended period of time it needs to be perfect and true. ive been through the wheel spindle thing many times and it is easiest to buy one off of ebay or find someone online thats parting one out. same thing happened to me. my dad and i cut some sheet steel to fit around the bearing, pressed it together and it lasted all of 1 month. i suppose if you only need it to get by the winter, welding may do just fine. dont over heat it though