Hey ya all!
I need to replace front wheel bearings and was wondering if this is a hard job. Would I need a hydraulic presser or some special tools? If you have done this job before and could give me some pointers I would really appreciate it. I have searched for treads/online without any luck.

1978 Datsun 280z

 

the only real difficult part is getting the outer races out.

to do that you only need a punch and a hammer.

don't you have some sort of manual? this seems like a super simple question that could have been answered by looking in there....

 

Click: www.xenons30.com/reference

 

Thanks for your response, guys. I do have the Clymer shop manual, but quite frankly it doesn't give me too much confidence...as earlier stated in another post...I am not the best mechanic, but I'm learning...
One thing I have learnt so far about this car...you almost always have to improvise one way or another

Thanks for the link NismoPick!

 

download the fsm from xenon website. Easy job. buy your bearings at a real bearing shop just look at the numbers or bring it in and they will match. Pack em good with grease. while you are at it look at your brake lining/pad. probably wouldn't hurt to do tie rod ends and ball joints while you are in there. actually just do everything. new poly bushings, shocks. your car will then go where you point it instead of drifting down the road like a drunk pig taking it's own course as it chooses. (your bearings are probably good it is the other stuff making for weird steering.)

 

Thank you rogerz! Very good info. A book/work manual is good, but drawing from other z drivers experiences are golden. Sorry to hear that your z drives like a drunken pig...even though some could actually consider it fun.
I strongly believe it's the bearings, because when I took of the wheel and grabbed the hub and shook it, there was some play in it. Never installed bearings before...always has to be a 1st time though.

Cheers

 

The "play" could be ball joints. If the hub turns smooth you might be wasting your money. Search on how to check ball joints, tie rod ends and rack bushings. Beating the races out with a punch can damage the bore. You can rent a proper bearing race puller from some auto parts stores like auto zone for free. You need seals too.

 

Thanks, theramz! I have ordered the parts (both inner and outer front wheel bearings and seals. They should arrive any day now. Info on the bearing race puller is very much appreciated..autozone it is.

I will have to search on how to check ball joints, tie rod ends and rack bushings...more things to scratch my head on I guess...

Sorry about the late reply, but I have taken a couple of days off from the Z...it is nice to work on your own car and accomplish things...but bottom line is that we all do it in order to enjoy a better ride...right? I have noticed that I have developed a slight Napoleon complex at traffic lights. When I drove my Jaguar xk8 convertable I never had to prove anything...now I find myself driving much more aggresive off the line...is it just in my head...or is it just the nature of the car asking me to step on it?