While great at following directions, and thinking I have all of the tools necessary to do this job, do you tech guys think that I can successfully replace the front wheel bearings myself? Engineer by trade, but that's about it. JTIS at my disposal.

I have pulled the rotors off...but thats as far as I have gotten. Is there more involved (forgive, haven't searched on the JTIS cd yet) Symptom: there is a small 'moaning' (instead of droaning) sound at all speeds, whether in gear or not, with or without acceleration. Pretty sure bearings.

looking for a pep talk and moral support.

 

kinda need special tools and a 20 ton press. to press the bearings out.. make sure your tires arent the cause 1st .. feathering? play?

 

and does the noise get louder as you load it up..

 

considered feathered tread, but 3k ago, did an alignment, and any appearance of feathing has gone away. Tread looks good. Unfortunatley, due to stagger, can't rotate front-rear, so will most likely wait until new tires get put on before doing the bearings. Special tools...probably not a DIY...20 ton press...definately not.

As for the sound, the tone remains the same at all speeds from 20mph and up. i'll listen more carefully...come to think of it, if it isn't heard until 20mph, then surely it can't be the bearings, otherwise, i should hear them at all speeds, correct? It could still be just the tire tread humming along.

 

You may not hear bearings at all speeds.
Jack up the front wheels and check them for play at 12 & 6 oclock.

 

LoL, strange question, but which way is up (12:00)? does it matter

 

cars than American cars/

With most american cars, replacing the bearings is fairly easy. You simply tap the bearing races out of their seats and tap them back into place.

I guess the bearing races are more tightly pressed into these wheels? I've never had a need to reaplce the bearings/races on mine...