Rear bearings/rear bushings

[mathillois]

Hey r3vers,

So in the near future I'm looking to replace my rear bearings as well as rear subframe And trailing arm bushings. I'm wondering what the easier and most efficient way to replace both my bearings and bushings. Should I replace the bearings first? Or just drop the whole rear end and do it all off the car? I was thinking do the bearings first but what do I know I'm a noob.!plent thanks for any advice.

Marc

[TSI]

I was thinking of dropping my subframe and doing the bearings while it's off, but my bushings were so stuck, I'm putting it off. Don't forget to do your trailing arm bushings too.

As for the bearings, I did mine with the subframe still on. It's not a hard job to do if you have the right tools, once I got them it took perhaps 30 mins per side.

[jlevie]

With the right tool, the bearings are probably easier to replace with the subframe mounted. The bushings, not so much.

[matthugie]

I'm with jlevie on bearings. I pulled my subframe to do some other stuff (camber/toe adjusters) so I took my trailing arms to a shop to have the bearings done and the guy complained about how hard it was to do with the arms loose.

[jeffnhiscars]

Im with Jim and Matt on the bearings. I installed minbe after I replaced the subframe/TA so as not to damage them while it was all apart. Bearings, hub, half shaft..done

[jrobie79]

i did everything with the subframe out...wasn't easy, but I wouldn't say it was overly difficult either. I didnt have the "correct" bearing tools but i fabricated something similar and had em both changed within 1.5 hours

[the imitator]

I used 3 toothed puller rented from auto zone to get the subframe bushings off.

The key is to find a washer that is the same diameter as the inner metal ring the bushing sits in, if it's even slightly too small the pressure will be put on the bushing and it won't press evenly and eventually break away.

The RTABs are quite simple too, Lowes carries 12 inch pieces of all thread, get a big deep well socket that fits over the bushing, slide the all thread through the socket and rtab, use a washer of similar inner diameter on the side with no socket and thread a nut on both sides and go for it. Cost me 3 dollars.

[mathillois]

Thanks for All the replies! This really helped. Thank you all for your advice and input.