wheel bearing - this doesn't seem right

[ericinboca]

I pressed in a new left front wheel bearing for my 04 986S last night using my SIR tool.

I then pressed in the wheel hub. I had to press it in, which has been my experience before, but it promptly fell out.

I have to use the tool to get the wheel hub into the bearing, but I can, with just my hands and not much force, pull the hub out.

Is this normal? I've done fronts and rears on this car before, and don't remember this happening.

Edited March 27, 2009 by ericinboca

[wvicary]

I've never done a wheel brng on a boxster yet but any of the others brngs I've replaced over the years always had a slight interference fit of the hub to brng. I would have to think the hub is damaged/worn.

[ericinboca]

I've never done a wheel brng on a boxster yet but any of the others brngs I've replaced over the years always had a slight interference fit of the hub to brng. I would have to think the hub is damaged/worn.

That's a good thought. I hadn't considered the hub shaft being worn a bit.

I studied it more last night, and can give better detail now.

My tool does not press it all the way in...only part way. And I can pull it out from that point, or its weight, if inverted, can cause it t fall out. But it is tighter from that point on....I have to use a 300+ ft/lb impact wrench with the axle nut on the half shaft to draw it up all the way. Once flush fully installed, I can still pull it out by hand, but it is hard. It would not fall out on its own once all the way in.

Still, I would expect it to be a little tighter.

[wvicary]

Hopefully someone with Boxster know how can chime in. I have seen hubs with a stepped shaft and matching step in the inner wheel brng race, that might explain the difference in the hub/brng fitting together at the half way point. I don't think you should be able to remove the hub by hand, in my experience they have always been an interference fit.

[blubox03]

Hopefully someone with Boxster know how can chime in. I have seen hubs with a stepped shaft and matching step in the inner wheel brng race, that might explain the difference in the hub/brng fitting together at the half way point. I don't think you should be able to remove the hub by hand, in my experience they have always been an interference fit.

I just replaced my rear wheel bearing last week using the Sir Tool B90P2. My hub was somewhat worn - had spun on the bearing at one time(you can tell by the wear markings on the hub). But, it did get pressed in with the Sir Tool with pretty good force and was a nice tight fit. If the fit is not tight, you will mostlikely need a new hub.

[suburban99]

If you put the hubs in the freezer (overnight if possible) they will press in very easily.

Same goes for the bearing into the Hub. Also works real well for balljoints on trucks and such.