Z31 Replacing Rear Wheel Bearings
To make a long story short, My 86 N/A right rear inner and outer bearings were toast. The "fun" part was replacing them. Don't even attempt this if you don't have access to air tools.
Tools needed
- 30mm Impact Socket and impact gun
- Bolt Type Wheel Puller
- 12mm open/box end wrench
- 12mm Socket and ratchet
- 13mm Socket
- 15mm Socket
- 17mm Socket
- Bearing Packing tool
- Long Pry-bar
- Jack and Jack Stands
- Rubber mallet
- Slide Hammer with wheel puller attachment
Parts List
- Oil Seal 1984-1986 Part # 43232-Z31001
- Oil Seal 1987-1989 Part # 43232-Z31002
- Inner Bearing 1984-1989 Part # 43210-Z31001
- Outer Bearing 1984-1986 Part #43215-Z31002
- Outer Bearing 1987-1989 Part #43215-Z31004
- High temperature Bearing Grease
Procedure
- First, jack up the car and remove the tire, brake caliper and rotor assembly. Undo the 17mm bolt holding the spring seat stay, and also undo the 12mm bolt holding the e-brake cable bracket. Now pry down the spring seat stay to gain access to the bolts that hold the drive axle to the companion flange.
- Now undo the 12mm bolts from the drive axle to the axle flange with nuts on the outside. On a turbo, you'll have four bolts, on a non-turbo it's 6. Now pry the axle out and remove from the differential.
- The next step it to remove the 30mm Wheel bearing lock nut with the socket and an impact gun. To do this wedge a pry bar in the wheel studs so it does not move while loosening the wheel bearing lock nut. After that's off, use a wheel puller and pull the companion flange off of the axle shaft.
- Once this is accomplished, you can now use the wheel puller attachment on the slide hammer on the hub side and pull the hub/stub axle from the bearings and control arm. Remove the bearings and replace with the new bearings after packing with grease, making sure they sit correctly in the bearing race.
- Reassembly is reverse of disassembly
Torque Specs
- Wheel bearing Lock nut 217-289 Ft lbs
- Drive axle to Companion Flange Turbo 43-51 Ft lbs
- Drive axle to Companion Flange Non–Turbo 29-36 Ft lbs
- Spring seat stay 43-58 Ft lbs