Wheel Bearing?

[83kid]

Hi,
Doing some work on my front end... 1983 k10 w/ a 10 bolt corporate front axle

How difficult is it to replace the spindle bearings and wheel bearings? What is the process? They arnt gone yet, but planning on throwing on some 1" or so wheel spacers so id rather do it now and have it last longer than to have it fail and take it off the road later


Thanks

 

[firebane]

Wheel spacers

Doing bearings = PITA and hope you have a few handy dandy tools

 

[CSFJ]

The only special tool you'll need is the hub nut socket. That and a lot of patience to dig out the lock ring if you've never done it before. The first time I did a set I had one of the smaller sized chilton manuals for these trucks. It walks you through the process pretty clearly. Grab one if you can find one. I seem to recall it listed all the torque specs you'll need.

 

[jetman]

PITA (in order) tools needed to remove your K10/20 hubs:

1) A sharp, high quality "mini" screwdriver to remove the lock ring that retains your manual locking (Warn, etc) hubs. Removing this lock ring can be a royal PITA, be persistent, you will eventually pop it out.
I use a screw driver manufactured by a german company. (If you have the old "auto lockers" you can skip this step.)

2) A pair of snap ring pliers, to remove a snap ring behind the locking hub. (a normal pair of snap ring pliers works fine, nothing fancy required)

3) As stated by CSFJ you will want to buy (or borrow from your local auto parts store) a spindle nut socket. Remove the two (2) interlocking spindle nuts and you can then have your way with your bearings, seals etc.


Pro Tip #4 - As mentioned by famerchris, yes a hardened dental pick would seem to be the ideal tool to pop that locking ring up, followed by having a small screwdriver to slip under it and pry it out. Once that ring is out, use some pliers to "bend" out one end of the locking ring to make it easier for the next time you have to take it off.

 

[farmerchris]

curved dental pick(steel tool) and small screwdriver make getting that retaining ring out pretty simple.