How long to -

[insomaniac45]

Hey guys, 

Roughly how long should it take to 

1 - replace both front wishbones, 
2 - replace both front track rod ends,
3 - replace both front wheel bearings. 

i have new wishbones and new ball joints on their way to me now, but need a rough estimate as to how long it should take to do all of the above. 

I have a basic tool kit, and know the biggest problem i will have is undoing the centre nuts as my alloys do not have a centre cap. The only thing i can think of doing is putting on the spare to allow me to have access while cracking it off. 

Is there anything i should do while i'm doing all this? like replace this seal, or replace this bush? 
Bearing in mind we do believe this car to be tired :


dont suppose poodle or jonny would like to help a local cabby owner out some time soon, (when its dry ish   )

[Toms306]

It 'shouldn't' take long... But when you add in rusty nuts, spinning BJs and broken captive nuts will probably take longer.

Wheel bearings will need pressed in by a local garage unless you have a press. Tracking will also need doing after changing TREs, no matter how carefully you try and measure the threads lol.

[Mattcheese31]

Like Tom says "shouldn't" take long, the front hub nuts can sometimes be a twat, you fo have a 35mm socket don't you?

[Jiffy]

The only thing i can think of doing is putting on the spare to allow me to have access while cracking it off. 

I did that. Even with alloys with centre caps, there's not enough room for the socket to fit.

[Matt]

Wishbones I did in 20 mins either side. Track rods took type about half hour as it was all rusty. Never done bearings

[Poodle]

Realistically be a couple of hours, excluding time for a trip to get the bearings changed. Let me know when you want to do it and i'll bring the electric gun over and we can change the bearings at work.

[insomaniac45]

i think i may have a 32mm socket, i remember buying a socket for when i did the bearings on my old truck. Will have to check that one

thanks for all your inputs,


@poodle, i will definitely let you know bud, and that would be a massive help.

[Toms306]

32mm isn't going to work overly well. 35 or 36mm needed, though if Poodles lending a hand I'm sure he'll have one.

[Alan_M]

The circlips behind the bearings can be a pain.

[Paul_13]

^ yup

[insomaniac45]

i should have some circlip pliers, inc some 90 degree ones, so it should not be too difficult. i have new axle nuts, so i will take one of them to the shed to see if i have a socket that fits, failing that, halfrauds is not that far from me

[Mattcheese31]

Axle nuts?? The rear hub nuts are 32mm and are kind of one use only, the front ones are 35mm, reusable and have a split pin

[cully]

as already said
you wont do the bearings unless you have a press!
the bearing circlips Will be a bitch! even with the correct tools
track rod ends may not even budge without heat!

[Poodle]

Use a sharp pick to scrape out the crap all the way around the edge of the circlip and give a spray of wd40 or similar. Then use a small punch in the eyes of the clip to drive it towards the gap, you'll see it start to bounce once it's free. Once that's done on both sides the circlip pliers will lift it out fairly easily.

I have some 36mm sockets for the hub nut and good stilsons for the track rods, not a problem.

[pug306driver]

Then use a small punch in the eyes of the clip to drive it towards the gap, you'll see it start to bounce once it's free.

I second that....simply put as well.

just don't break the eyes off......! gently as you go.