Hello, I have just got myself a vw polo mk2 which is a 1990 model. The front right wheel bearing needs changing and I got a new one with the car. Is there any guide on how to do the job? I have ordered a Haynes manual but will be a while to arrive since I ordered it from England and I live in Sweden.

Any help would be great, I'm quite good on working with cars and was planning on doing this myself, but before I start I wanted to know what to think about and maybe some tips?

Thanks Adam.

i'll say one thing...only fit genuine parts , cheapie made in china ones wont last a year

someone should be along with info on how to swap it soon , id suggest you remove the suspension leg/strut and pay a garage a small amount to press in the new part

Yeah what I have is a genuine part :)

Ok, but on average is it a big job? How long does it normally take? :)

1-2hrs to remove and refit the strut depending on skills /tools etc...plus time to get the garage to swap it

Ok, thanks for the help :)

Do you really need a garage to do it? Will a big vice not suffice? Got to do this myself, and dont really want to go to a garage. Looking for advice either way though

Also, where to get genuine parts, VW only?

doesnt have to be a garage ...its alot of swearing and bashing to save a tenner , and if you bash the wrong bit you wreck the new bearing

not sure where for quality bearings other than vw...F.A.G or S.K.F brands are fine, prob any german made ones are

I just put in new bearings today, and it took quite a bit of time to get the old bearing out because we don't have a press.

Getting the new one in wasn't too bad, but we had to find a cup that was the same size as the outer race, but not the size of the hub. The new bearing pressed in easily with a vice. It's not a hard job to do, but replace both at the same time. And expect some stuff to be rusted solid.

That's what turned a 2 hour job into a 6 hour one. And cut hands. And swearing - lots of it!

I have been working on this myself now and I have removed the old wheel bearing. But now I am confused what goes together first. Do I put the bearing on the hub first or in the strut? Also if it is the strut to I put one of them ring clip things on the back side first so I know when to stop pushing it in? Thanks Adam

Ok. Installed the new wheel bearing. Now I am just wondering some things.. When I put the strut back onto the car, the part where it connects to the steering arm, when I put it in through the strut and try to tighten the nut up. It looks like the whole threat is turning with the nut. Is this normal and how do I fix this? Also just so I'm 100% sure, which way do I put the strut on? I mean what part do I connect the strut to first?

Also kinda of topic but on the right drive line. The inner part where it connects to the gearbox. It has about 6 bolts to connect it all, what size are these bolts? Some type of Allen key or that star shape

Offer the strut over the drive shaft first, then fit the topcap and nut under the bonnet(doesn't have to be tightened yet) Next fit the TCA (track control arm) at both ends if you removed it fully, then put the anti roll bar (ARB) through the TCA. Once all fitted it's just a case of tightening everything properly including the drive shaft nut.

The ball joint will sometimes just rotate, some have an allen hole in the top for a 4 or 5mm allen key so you can hold it still whilst you secure it with a spanner, if not as it's a LHD you could be looking at a new track rod end

Edited 28 October, 201015 yr by philpheasant

Ok thanks. I will have anther try tomorrow

Ok. I will look and see if it has a Allen key hole there

Also I was wondering about the drive line, with the inner connection. With the 6 bolts. What size do I need to tighten them up?

Think they are m8 spline drives iirc

Ok. They are the ones what are about the same size as a 7mm allen key but with 12 corners?

Should be 8mm

Ok yeah I wasnt so sure, but I did say "about" haha

Thanks for the help

No worries, that's what we're all here for

I have put it all together but i noticed something what doesn't look so good.. I must of hit the top of the strut when I was changing the wheel bearing and the thread where the top nut is has snapped off. So now i only have half of the thread and the nut doesnt go on.. Is there a way of changing this thread with out changing the whole strut? Thanks Adam

I have been quite busy with my other car but now i am planning on working with the polo again, So the track rod end.. I have only checked quickly for a allen key hole but if it was quite dirty so i am going to clean it and have another look, but if there is a allen key hole will it be on the top of the thread or at the bottom of the ball joint?

Thanks Adam.

It has been a while but I had some unexpected problems with my other car from the MOT but Today I started again on the polo, I am 95% sure I need a new track rod end, but isn't the name of this part a toe rod end or something? Also since this is for a LHD polo would it just be a new end or must I buy a whole new rod?

Thanks adam

Edited 11 January, 201115 yr by Farnsy