TheSamba.com :: View topic - 72 super axle stub replace-please help

Sat Oct 17, 2009 2:55 pm

A couple weeks ago I got an awesome deal on a 72 Super Beetle. It had sat in a yard for over a year because the passenger front brake had locked up. While replacing all the brakes and wheel cylinders, and hoses, I found out that the driver side axle stub was stripped where the axle nut goes on. I ordered another axle stub today. I was planning on completely redoing the bearings and everything, so I won’t have to take it apart again. Now that I have started taking it all apart, I am really confused with what I have to do and take apart. I have looked through the forums for hours and still haven’t found what I need.

Here is what it looks like now. It looks like part of the bearing is still there, and I’m wondering how to get it out.

Here is the bearing I ripped out.

This is the back side. That is a bearing there too. Can I take that out and replace it too?

Sorry if this has been gone over many times; I just want to make sure I do it right and don't screw it up.

Sat Oct 17, 2009 4:02 pm

This thread should be a great help.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=366794

Sat Oct 17, 2009 4:53 pm

I am learning to respect you Icy

Sun Oct 18, 2009 2:11 pm

Each bearing gets tapped into the barrel in the suspension, and rests up against a ridge. There's a notch in two spots around the ridge so that the bearing can be tapped out with a punch from the other end. The first two photos in this blog post of mine shows what I mean:
http://www.craigsteffen.net/blog/2008/03/one-brick.php

These other posts in the same series shows me installing bearings in my super. The photos may help you.

http://www.craigsteffen.net/blog/2008/03/hand-operated-air-cooled-seal-installer.php
http://www.craigsteffen.net/blog/2008/03/reassemble.php

Mon Oct 19, 2009 3:42 pm

Thanks everyone! I haven't finished taking everything apart yet; but I have ordered new bearings and seals and stuff. I hope I'll be able to at least get it all apart this weekend. Then have to wait on the parts... What grease should I use to lube everything? The same stuff I use to pack the bearings?

Mon Oct 19, 2009 6:57 pm

joe_cool_678 wrote: Thanks everyone! I haven't finished taking everything apart yet; but I have ordered new bearings and seals and stuff. I hope I'll be able to at least get it all apart this weekend. Then have to wait on the parts... What grease should I use to lube everything? The same stuff I use to pack the bearings?

The inner bearings will most likely need to be cleaned, inspected, and repacked. They rarely go bad. Pull them, and if they roll OK with no issues, then you can keep them. I hope you ordered German bearings for the outer. And yes, use regular bearing grease. Not Lithium grease or anything else.

Sun Nov 01, 2009 7:14 pm

Sorry it has taken me soo long to post my progress. I have been working on my car in whatever spare time I could find. The rest of my parts got here Wednesday. I got everything done and together by Friday and drove it for the first time (other than driving it down my street when I first got it home ;) ). I even had it done in time for our VW club meeting Saturday-so I could show off my new toy! It drives much better now (it even stops too!)! I only have one problem- :( When I turn the key off, the car tries to continue to run. It seems like it's a stock engine; but it has an aftermarket performance carb. (two barrel). I was thinking maybe it’s some kind of wiring problem, or that the engine is running too hot? I haven’t had this problem with any of my other VWs. So, this is a new problem to me. Any ideas?