front wheel bearings.
 

I just put front axles in my 89 civic LX and while I was doing that I
noticed some play in the hub. I plan to replace both front bearings but
have some questions that hopefully can be answered here.

Are the front bearings pressed into the hub? because I can find bearings
online but not a hub/bearing assy.
would it be easier to go to a pull apart and get the whole steering knuckle?

is there a web site I haven't found yet where I can look at a schematic
or diagram?

I used to work in automotive and had access to Mitchell online and
alldata, is there something similar for free??

I appreciate any and all help, and I hope my bearings don't melt before
I get it.

Re: front wheel bearings.
 

Elsie Gundo wrote:
> I just put front axles in my 89 civic LX and while I was doing that I
> noticed some play in the hub. I plan to replace both front bearings but
> have some questions that hopefully can be answered here.
>
> Are the front bearings pressed into the hub? because I can find bearings
> online but not a hub/bearing assy.
> would it be easier to go to a pull apart and get the whole steering
> knuckle?
>
> is there a web site I haven't found yet where I can look at a schematic
> or diagram?
>
> I used to work in automotive and had access to Mitchell online and
> alldata, is there something similar for free??
>
> I appreciate any and all help, and I hope my bearings don't melt before
> I get it.

if the bearings really do need replacing, and it's not common on your
vintage honda, the cheapest quickest way is to just get some use
knuckles from a junk yard. something in the range of $40. new bearings
are $60+, and you have the labor to change them on top of that. yes,
they're pressed in.

be sure of your bearing diagnosis. aftermarket axles are not all the
same - notably, the outer joint is a different size between the 88-91
civics and later years. these days, parts stores try to sell you the
larger newer version, and while it will go in, it'll mess up the knuckle
seal. if you tightened against that seal, the bearing may indeed seem
to be loose when actually, it's an axle issue.

Re: front wheel bearings.
 

jim beam wrote:
> Elsie Gundo wrote:
>> I just put front axles in my 89 civic LX and while I was doing that I
>> noticed some play in the hub. I plan to replace both front bearings
>> but have some questions that hopefully can be answered here.
>>
>> Are the front bearings pressed into the hub? because I can find
>> bearings online but not a hub/bearing assy.
>> would it be easier to go to a pull apart and get the whole steering
>> knuckle?
>>
>> is there a web site I haven't found yet where I can look at a
>> schematic or diagram?
>>
>> I used to work in automotive and had access to Mitchell online and
>> alldata, is there something similar for free??
>>
>> I appreciate any and all help, and I hope my bearings don't melt
>> before I get it.
>
> if the bearings really do need replacing, and it's not common on your
> vintage honda, the cheapest quickest way is to just get some use
> knuckles from a junk yard. something in the range of $40. new bearings
> are $60+, and you have the labor to change them on top of that. yes,
> they're pressed in.
>
> be sure of your bearing diagnosis. aftermarket axles are not all the
> same - notably, the outer joint is a different size between the 88-91
> civics and later years. these days, parts stores try to sell you the
> larger newer version, and while it will go in, it'll mess up the knuckle
> seal. if you tightened against that seal, the bearing may indeed seem
> to be loose when actually, it's an axle issue.

thanks for the reply Jim,
She is still going, I have been feeling the wheel after driving and I
figure if it isn't too hot to lay my hand on and I am not hearing any
abnormal roaring from the front that changes in the curves that
everything is fine for now.
I changed the axles myself in the driveway and while the axle was out
of the left side there was maybe an inch of up and down play moving just
the hub. I think 5/16 of an inch of play is normal? and it didn't sound
too good without the axle in,it also got very hot on the test drive but
since then has not gotten hot at all, a little warm maybe.
It seems to be performing well right now, I think I will leave it
till it gets worse, thank you for the advice I think I will start
looking for a pull apart that has what I need.

Re: front wheel bearings.
 

Elsie Gundo wrote:
> jim beam wrote:
>> Elsie Gundo wrote:
>>> I just put front axles in my 89 civic LX and while I was doing that I
>>> noticed some play in the hub. I plan to replace both front bearings
>>> but have some questions that hopefully can be answered here.
>>>
>>> Are the front bearings pressed into the hub? because I can find
>>> bearings online but not a hub/bearing assy.
>>> would it be easier to go to a pull apart and get the whole steering
>>> knuckle?
>>>
>>> is there a web site I haven't found yet where I can look at a
>>> schematic or diagram?
>>>
>>> I used to work in automotive and had access to Mitchell online and
>>> alldata, is there something similar for free??
>>>
>>> I appreciate any and all help, and I hope my bearings don't melt
>>> before I get it.
>>
>> if the bearings really do need replacing, and it's not common on your
>> vintage honda, the cheapest quickest way is to just get some use
>> knuckles from a junk yard. something in the range of $40. new
>> bearings are $60+, and you have the labor to change them on top of
>> that. yes, they're pressed in.
>>
>> be sure of your bearing diagnosis. aftermarket axles are not all the
>> same - notably, the outer joint is a different size between the 88-91
>> civics and later years. these days, parts stores try to sell you the
>> larger newer version, and while it will go in, it'll mess up the
>> knuckle seal. if you tightened against that seal, the bearing may
>> indeed seem to be loose when actually, it's an axle issue.
>
> thanks for the reply Jim,
> She is still going, I have been feeling the wheel after driving and I
> figure if it isn't too hot to lay my hand on and I am not hearing any
> abnormal roaring from the front that changes in the curves that
> everything is fine for now.

the heat comes from braking under normal circumstances. if the bearing
was shot enough to be generating that much heat, you'd hear it.


> I changed the axles myself in the driveway and while the axle was out
> of the left side there was maybe an inch of up and down play moving just
> the hub. I think 5/16 of an inch of play is normal?

no. something is seriously wrong. to get that much play in the
bearing, the balls would have to be missing. hard to believe that's
what has happened here.


> and it didn't sound
> too good without the axle in,it also got very hot on the test drive but
> since then has not gotten hot at all, a little warm maybe.

see above - heat comes from braking.


> It seems to be performing well right now, I think I will leave it
> till it gets worse, thank you for the advice I think I will start
> looking for a pull apart that has what I need.

if you have 5/16 of play, you need to get the vehicle checked by someone
with experience. this is a primary safety issue.

Re: front wheel bearings.
 

jim beam wrote:
> Elsie Gundo wrote:
>> jim beam wrote:
>>> Elsie Gundo wrote:
>>>> I just put front axles in my 89 civic LX and while I was doing that
>>>> I noticed some play in the hub. I plan to replace both front
>>>> bearings but have some questions that hopefully can be answered here.
>>>>
>>>> Are the front bearings pressed into the hub? because I can find
>>>> bearings online but not a hub/bearing assy.
>>>> would it be easier to go to a pull apart and get the whole steering
>>>> knuckle?
>>>>
>>>> is there a web site I haven't found yet where I can look at a
>>>> schematic or diagram?
>>>>
>>>> I used to work in automotive and had access to Mitchell online and
>>>> alldata, is there something similar for free??
>>>>
>>>> I appreciate any and all help, and I hope my bearings don't melt
>>>> before I get it.
>>>
>>> if the bearings really do need replacing, and it's not common on your
>>> vintage honda, the cheapest quickest way is to just get some use
>>> knuckles from a junk yard. something in the range of $40. new
>>> bearings are $60+, and you have the labor to change them on top of
>>> that. yes, they're pressed in.
>>>
>>> be sure of your bearing diagnosis. aftermarket axles are not all the
>>> same - notably, the outer joint is a different size between the 88-91
>>> civics and later years. these days, parts stores try to sell you the
>>> larger newer version, and while it will go in, it'll mess up the
>>> knuckle seal. if you tightened against that seal, the bearing may
>>> indeed seem to be loose when actually, it's an axle issue.
>>
>> thanks for the reply Jim,
>> She is still going, I have been feeling the wheel after driving and I
>> figure if it isn't too hot to lay my hand on and I am not hearing any
>> abnormal roaring from the front that changes in the curves that
>> everything is fine for now.
>
> the heat comes from braking under normal circumstances. if the bearing
> was shot enough to be generating that much heat, you'd hear it.
>
>
>> I changed the axles myself in the driveway and while the axle was
>> out of the left side there was maybe an inch of up and down play
>> moving just the hub. I think 5/16 of an inch of play is normal?
>
> no. something is seriously wrong. to get that much play in the
> bearing, the balls would have to be missing. hard to believe that's
> what has happened here.
>
>
>> and it didn't sound too good without the axle in,it also got very hot
>> on the test drive but since then has not gotten hot at all, a little
>> warm maybe.
>
> see above - heat comes from braking.

the heat I was experiencing was after the test drive after replacing my
axles. I removed the brake caliper in the process so some excess heat
was generated from seating the front pads.

>
>
>> It seems to be performing well right now, I think I will leave it
>> till it gets worse, thank you for the advice I think I will start
>> looking for a pull apart that has what I need.
>
> if you have 5/16 of play, you need to get the vehicle checked by someone
> with experience. this is a primary safety issue.

I am experienced. I was mistaken. RWD vehicles are allowed a small
amount of play in the front bearings, FWD are not allowed any play. I
don't see the safety issue, if the bearing melts I get stuck on the side
of the road...so what, I am a 43 year old 6'3" 235 lb man that carries a
gun, I should be OK.

Re: front wheel bearings.
 

jim beam wrote:
> Elsie Gundo wrote:
>> jim beam wrote:
>>> Elsie Gundo wrote:
>>>> I just put front axles in my 89 civic LX and while I was doing that
>>>> I noticed some play in the hub. I plan to replace both front
>>>> bearings but have some questions that hopefully can be answered here.
>>>>
>>>> Are the front bearings pressed into the hub? because I can find
>>>> bearings online but not a hub/bearing assy.
>>>> would it be easier to go to a pull apart and get the whole steering
>>>> knuckle?
>>>>
>>>> is there a web site I haven't found yet where I can look at a
>>>> schematic or diagram?
>>>>
>>>> I used to work in automotive and had access to Mitchell online and
>>>> alldata, is there something similar for free??
>>>>
>>>> I appreciate any and all help, and I hope my bearings don't melt
>>>> before I get it.
>>>
>>> if the bearings really do need replacing, and it's not common on your
>>> vintage honda, the cheapest quickest way is to just get some use
>>> knuckles from a junk yard. something in the range of $40. new
>>> bearings are $60+, and you have the labor to change them on top of
>>> that. yes, they're pressed in.
>>>
>>> be sure of your bearing diagnosis. aftermarket axles are not all the
>>> same - notably, the outer joint is a different size between the 88-91
>>> civics and later years. these days, parts stores try to sell you the
>>> larger newer version, and while it will go in, it'll mess up the
>>> knuckle seal. if you tightened against that seal, the bearing may
>>> indeed seem to be loose when actually, it's an axle issue.
>>
>> thanks for the reply Jim,
>> She is still going, I have been feeling the wheel after driving and I
>> figure if it isn't too hot to lay my hand on and I am not hearing any
>> abnormal roaring from the front that changes in the curves that
>> everything is fine for now.
>
> the heat comes from braking under normal circumstances. if the bearing
> was shot enough to be generating that much heat, you'd hear it.
>
>
>> I changed the axles myself in the driveway and while the axle was
>> out of the left side there was maybe an inch of up and down play
>> moving just the hub. I think 5/16 of an inch of play is normal?
>
> no. something is seriously wrong. to get that much play in the
> bearing, the balls would have to be missing. hard to believe that's
> what has happened here.
>
>
>> and it didn't sound too good without the axle in,it also got very hot
>> on the test drive but since then has not gotten hot at all, a little
>> warm maybe.
>
> see above - heat comes from braking.

the heat I was experiencing was after the test drive after replacing my
axles. I removed the brake caliper in the process so some excess heat
was generated from seating the front pads.

>
>
>> It seems to be performing well right now, I think I will leave it
>> till it gets worse, thank you for the advice I think I will start
>> looking for a pull apart that has what I need.
>
> if you have 5/16 of play, you need to get the vehicle checked by someone
> with experience. this is a primary safety issue.

I am experienced. I was mistaken. RWD vehicles are allowed a small
amount of play in the front bearings, FWD are not allowed any play. I
don't see the safety issue, if the bearing melts I get stuck on the side
of the road...so what, I am a 43 year old 6'3" 235 lb man that carries a
gun, I should be OK.

Re: front wheel bearings.
 

Elsie Gundo wrote:
> jim beam wrote:
>> Elsie Gundo wrote:
>>> jim beam wrote:
>>>> Elsie Gundo wrote:
>>>>> I just put front axles in my 89 civic LX and while I was doing that
>>>>> I noticed some play in the hub. I plan to replace both front
>>>>> bearings but have some questions that hopefully can be answered here.
>>>>>
>>>>> Are the front bearings pressed into the hub? because I can find
>>>>> bearings online but not a hub/bearing assy.
>>>>> would it be easier to go to a pull apart and get the whole steering
>>>>> knuckle?
>>>>>
>>>>> is there a web site I haven't found yet where I can look at a
>>>>> schematic or diagram?
>>>>>
>>>>> I used to work in automotive and had access to Mitchell online and
>>>>> alldata, is there something similar for free??
>>>>>
>>>>> I appreciate any and all help, and I hope my bearings don't melt
>>>>> before I get it.
>>>>
>>>> if the bearings really do need replacing, and it's not common on
>>>> your vintage honda, the cheapest quickest way is to just get some
>>>> use knuckles from a junk yard. something in the range of $40. new
>>>> bearings are $60+, and you have the labor to change them on top of
>>>> that. yes, they're pressed in.
>>>>
>>>> be sure of your bearing diagnosis. aftermarket axles are not all
>>>> the same - notably, the outer joint is a different size between the
>>>> 88-91 civics and later years. these days, parts stores try to sell
>>>> you the larger newer version, and while it will go in, it'll mess up
>>>> the knuckle seal. if you tightened against that seal, the bearing
>>>> may indeed seem to be loose when actually, it's an axle issue.
>>>
>>> thanks for the reply Jim,
>>> She is still going, I have been feeling the wheel after driving and I
>>> figure if it isn't too hot to lay my hand on and I am not hearing any
>>> abnormal roaring from the front that changes in the curves that
>>> everything is fine for now.
>>
>> the heat comes from braking under normal circumstances. if the
>> bearing was shot enough to be generating that much heat, you'd hear it.
>>
>>
>>> I changed the axles myself in the driveway and while the axle was
>>> out of the left side there was maybe an inch of up and down play
>>> moving just the hub. I think 5/16 of an inch of play is normal?
>>
>> no. something is seriously wrong. to get that much play in the
>> bearing, the balls would have to be missing. hard to believe that's
>> what has happened here.
>>
>>
>>> and it didn't sound too good without the axle in,it also got very hot
>>> on the test drive but since then has not gotten hot at all, a little
>>> warm maybe.
>>
>> see above - heat comes from braking.
>
> the heat I was experiencing was after the test drive after replacing my
> axles. I removed the brake caliper in the process so some excess heat
> was generated from seating the front pads.

eh? you don't need to remove the calipers to replace the drive shafts.


>
>>
>>
>>> It seems to be performing well right now, I think I will leave it
>>> till it gets worse, thank you for the advice I think I will start
>>> looking for a pull apart that has what I need.
>>
>> if you have 5/16 of play, you need to get the vehicle checked by
>> someone with experience. this is a primary safety issue.
>
> I am experienced. I was mistaken. RWD vehicles are allowed a small
> amount of play in the front bearings, FWD are not allowed any play. I
> don't see the safety issue, if the bearing melts I get stuck on the side
> of the road...so what, I am a 43 year old 6'3" 235 lb man that carries a
> gun, I should be OK.


i once saw a guy shoot his own balls off at a gas station on the way to
phoenix in arizona. he had his magnum stuffed into the waist of his
pants with the barrel pointed ready to do the job. doubtless his excuse
was that it was ok to wear his piece like that because he was
"experienced" too.

Re: front wheel bearings.
 

jim beam wrote:
> Elsie Gundo wrote:

>> the heat I was experiencing was after the test drive after replacing
>> my axles. I removed the brake caliper in the process so some excess
>> heat was generated from seating the front pads.
>
> eh? you don't need to remove the calipers to replace the drive shafts.

they do if you are replacing the brake pads and rotors at the same time.

>
>
>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> It seems to be performing well right now, I think I will leave it
>>>> till it gets worse, thank you for the advice I think I will start
>>>> looking for a pull apart that has what I need.
>>>
>>> if you have 5/16 of play, you need to get the vehicle checked by
>>> someone with experience. this is a primary safety issue.
>>
>> I am experienced. I was mistaken. RWD vehicles are allowed a small
>> amount of play in the front bearings, FWD are not allowed any play. I
>> don't see the safety issue, if the bearing melts I get stuck on the
>> side of the road...so what, I am a 43 year old 6'3" 235 lb man that
>> carries a gun, I should be OK.
>
>
> i once saw a guy shoot his own balls off at a gas station on the way to
> phoenix in arizona. he had his magnum stuffed into the waist of his
> pants with the barrel pointed ready to do the job. doubtless his excuse
> was that it was ok to wear his piece like that because he was
> "experienced" too.

Dumbasses come in all shapes, sizes and flavors don't they. :-D