Up a creek...
 

Well, the racing gods are biting back.

1st, the StopTechs I got are 2mm bigger than the "regular" sized ones, so none of the rims that I have will fit. Dean is saving the day by letting be borrow his RFP1's.

While test fitting said RFP1's... I noticed some wobble in my left front. I figure it's just the rotor/rim not quite seated... so I torque 'em down. Nope... bearing's bad. Real bad. Like a 1/16" wobble at the edge of the brake rotor.

I'm screwed... that won't pass tech. So I think I'm not out of Solo1 for this weekend. Sorry Matt... I just don't know how to get the car fixed in time. Maybe those guys that pulled my coat-hanager would actually check the bearings this time and do it tomorrow... but with my luck, not gonna happen. Or maybe Indy Auto isn't totally booked like usual, but I doubt it. Or maybe I could take the day off (and hope I don't get fired) and do it myself, but I need a bearing puller, and I don't think I can get one anywhere in town, unless a Suby shop would loan me one. Or maybe, I can get the car down to Sac and A&S or S-Squared could fix it this weekend... nevermind the fact they're throwing a huge BBQ and stripping Nick's car this weekend. Hey, how about we jsut take Nick's hub off and let Subaru deal w/ my bad bearing on his trade-in? :lol:

To top it all off, I'm starting to feel like shit... so I took some medication. Thanks for "bearing" with my NyQuil enduced rant, and bad puns.

Big N, little y, BIG FUCKING Q. I love that fucking Q. THE Q IS TALKING TO ME! THE Q IS TALKING TO ME!

I'm sorry, mang. Let me know if there's anything we can do down here, I might be able to get ahold of a driver's side front hub, just give me a call.
And give Joe a call, I never know what he has lying around or what kind of time he's got. I know Nate's in Sunday to do all the stuff on Nick's car, mebbe something can be worked out.

Hell, even *I* switched out my front hub, so it's not too hard :D....

Wow! Shit...That sucks dude...But the track day is your priority, so you've got to get the bearing fixed...

Do the RPF-01's fit Okay? They will work?

Talk to you later

Rims will work, so I'm good there. I just really need to get my bearing fixed.... does anyone know if places like Kragen or Napa rent bearing pullers?

Aaron, if I can get the car down to Sac, you think you can have a hub for me, or a bearing puller available at the shop? I can go by Subaru and get all the parts I need today, all I need to get the job done is a puller and some bearing grease.

What part(s) do you need? You could borrow them from the red car...

Debbie and I can drive the Stealth...

You could come and get the red car anytime...

Also, there have to be lightly used parts at Rancho Cordova...

Dean, you are by far, "the man"-est "the man" that ever was "the man". The whole red-vs-blue thing is crap... I'm painting my car red!

I'd have to steal the left-front wheel hub, since w/o a bearing puller, I can't actually get to the part that I need (hell if I had a puller, I'd just put a new bearing in my hub from Subaru, they've got all the parts in stock). I've got the service manuals, but I've never actually pulled a hub, so I don't really know how hard it is... Let me look into renting a bearing puller 1st and if that's not a possibility. I may have to cut out of work and see if I can't pull your hub and get it on my car by tonight.

If by some miracle all that works out, then I'm gonna try to make Solo1. :pray:

Shit...I feel a long night ahead :lol:

No kidding...

It doesn't help that I think I'm coming down with a cold, and feel tired at only 9:30 am. :(

You get used to that after a few weeks ;)

Are you sure your axel nut is not loose?

The drive shaft puller looks like a normal gear puller. I have those in many sizes...

Does the manual call for a bearing puller? it appears to be a back to back cone shaped roller bearings and race which usually can be pressed out with the right size socket, and a vise, and new pressed in in the same manner, only with a larger socket that mates with the face instead of the race.

You can rent a bearing puller from kragen or try to buy one from harbor! Ihave done one on my 89 civic I also used a little heat tourch but I havent even seen the subaru wheel bearing! Good luck with that man if you need anything call me!

Scott if and when you put the new bearings in put them in freezer they should press in easy!

Bearing puller, no, but if there's a hub at the yard, I can try and get it. You have to pull the whole hub anyways. so it'll save you a ton of work at a minimal cost; my Legacy one was cheap because he had more of them, but still, it was only $50.

I'll see what I can track down and give you a call.

You get my PM about the SVX parts?

Harbor freight has a kit, but they're out of stock... I checked like a week ago, and it was a 10 to 15 day wait.

I guess I should run by Subaru and get all the parts I'll need to do a bearing swap. Then try to pull the bearing. If I can't get it, then I can swap with Dean's hub.

Yeah, go the PM, but I simply don't have time to even think about that car right now. The only thought I've had re: that thing was "gee I wish I had the SVX so I could leave the WRX on jackstands". :lol:

Oh, and if you end up borrowing parts, unless the axle splits at the outside CV joint, it may be easier to take te whole thing, and maybe even the lower arm as well.

Two bolts on the lower arm, two on the strut, and the tie rod end. That's it I think, and the axel just pulls out of the diff doesn't it?

Just a thought.

IIRC, the axle comes out of the hub just as easily as it comes out of the diff. I'll have to check the service manual.

Scott, I can bolt out of work at like 1 Pm today, let me know if you need hands...parts, etc...

Your ass is going to Lovelock! :lol:

Axle is splined through the hub; the whole hub comes right off the axle with a light tug once you've spun off the axle nut. 2 bolts on the caliper bracket, 2 bolts on the strut upright, one bolt on the lower control arm to release the lower ball joint, and 2 bolts to secure the tie rod and something else I can't remember ;)

Pretty straightforward, only tough part is popping loose the ball joint onthe tie rod, but that just takes a good downward whack.

Let me know if you can't get anything done up there, and I'll see what we can do down here.

I know you hate Lithia but....
 

[Devil's Advocate mode]

If they have all the parts, and can fit it in, why not have them do the swap? Maybe they could check/luibe the other side while they are at it...

[/Devil's Advocate mode]

Thanks for all the help guys! Group SECCS fo Life! :sniff:

I'm gonna see what I can do about getting out of work... as it is I have a legitimate excuse to leave, since I feel like hell... unfortunately, I'm gonna get home and just want to go to bed. :( I need a Vitimin C injection!

Sid could probably do this job as well if you can get the parts.. He wasn't very busy earlier this week, and he's probably open Sat. if needed.

Call him 786-3344

Re: I know you hate Lithia but....
 

Not a bad idea actually.... I guess they're not very busy these days. I just have a hard time paying $1000 for $300 in parts and 3 hours of labor.

Plus, I'd have to somehow get the brakes finished up so I can drive it over there w/ enough time for them to fix it... whereas, right now the car is on stands in my garage w/ the hub all but removed.

I'm sure they could fit in in...they've been DEAD the last two times I've been in there...Call RAY if you want to go that route... It will be a bit $$$ though..

I'm not so sure I'd like them playng around with all that new brake hardware though...they might be like :shock: and stuff

There is a Subaru shop I use in Carson too. They are usually packed but if you tell them you need it today, they might be able to do it.

I need to know by shortly after 5 if you need th red car, so I know which car to load on the trailer...

I don't think a shop is an option, because even if I get out of work at lunch time, I won't be able to drive the car to a shop until like 2 or 3pm, and there's no shop in the world that will start a bearing swap 2 hours before closing.

I'll let you know as soon as I can what I'm doing.

Ya never know, one of the guys who runs it is a car guy and his son is on the board. :P Just another option.

Re: I know you hate Lithia but....
 

So get the hub out, hand it to Matt, and he can run it over to Sid, Big O, etc to press the bearing if you don't want to try the Socket and Vise route.

Re: I know you hate Lithia but....
 

Exactly my thought...I would probably start at Sid's, then Sierra Autosport..

Re: I know you hate Lithia but....
 

Ya I wouldn't try to press it myself. You sure they can do it right?

Am I mistaken on the bearing layout? It is only the double coned bearing race that has to be pressed out and new one in, right? the only other sticking point is if the axle doesn't back out and needs a puller.

Are you doing the seals as well? I assume it makes sense to replace them while you are at it...

Wish Reno & SLO were closer so I could help! :lol:

I think the best plan of attack is to take the hub off the car, then bring it to Lithia, and see if they can't just swap the bearing right then and there.

Here's the parts list:

That includes some bad-ass grease and the HF bearing puller deal.

There you go...I think that would work best..

Now I just need to get off work... and I need a ride to Lithia. Isn't this the reason I bought a daily driver? :x

No Doubt, and vice versa.....Some chick in Grover Beach crashed into one of my trucks this morning...weak.

Careful budy... Remeber, some dude in a truck ran over our RotorChick...

Now it's even I guess :roll:

The Lithia idea rocks... Can Nick pull the hub and head on over there, for which you will gladly pay him Tuesday... :D

Nick's off job hunting. Plus, I don't know that he'd be comfortable pulling the hub on my car, since he's never done anthing like that before either.

What time can you get out of there? I've got very little going on today...

I'm about to go an ask for the afternoon off.... I'll let you know.

alright, I'm back.

I can help with whatever you need to do Scott. I could try and pull off the hub if you want, but it might take me a while (and some good diagrams).

If'n you just need transportation you can take my car for the afternoon ... but you have to be back here by 5 pm sharp ... at 5:01 I turn into a pumpkin

We're covered, thanks Mike.

So what's the update??? It's almost 5:00...