I need to do the wheel bearings on my '85 (has an '82 axle in it, as I broke my S3 axle and had this one laying around), and I am wondering what parts I need to order for the job. I know I need the bearing, but what else do I need? I've never done a wheel bearing on a live axle before. I have found threads on how to do it, and have looked at the FSM, but none of them give a list of what parts are required when you replace the wheel bearing.

Thanks

-Jim

 

Jim,

There is the bearing, collar, and seal. Sometimes the collar comes with the bearing. Parts can be found here: http://www.mazdatrix.com/g6.htm

There is some info in the FSM on how to do the job. The big part is that the old bearings need to be pressed off (some people grind off (carefully) and whack it with a chisel. Then the new bearing needs to be pressed back on.

I would look in advance for a machine shop to do this for you. I think this job plus pressing in some ball joints (and tack welding them) was like $60 when I did it.

I found one shop who refused to do it unless I bought the bearings from them or prove that they were OEM. I had bought mine from Mazdatrix (BTW, they were not OEM..at least not in Mazda packaging), so I moved on to someone who would. Also, it is a good idea to print out a couple pages from the FSM to show them. There are specs on the force of the press and how the bearings go on (so they don't forget the backing plate, etc.).

 

Thanks for the heads up. I've found bearings through rockauto.com for $4.53 per bearing, whereas MazdaTrix wants in the $22 range. I will swing into my local shop that has done all the work on my parents fleet of vehicles (including my old FB the total was 9 vehicles at one point) since we moved to the area in 1995. They should be able to do it. I'll get quotes for me bringing in the axle, and me bringing in the whole car.

 

My race car eats rear axle bearings frequently, so I buy several per year.
I have never, anywhere, found any rear axle bearings for $4.53. I would not buy a $5 axle bearing!
Most of them are in the $20 to $30 price range; the cheaper ones usually don't have the collar, and the more expensive ones sometimes come with the collar.