Could a CV replacement cause bearing failure??

[Crasher]

The trouble with heating is you have to get the unit off of the car, to do that you have to get the upper bolts out and that’s where the problem lies. The bearings are pre packed and rubber sealed, they would not like that amount of heat.

[FrenchAudi]

I've never tried to press out a bearing without removing the carrier from the car. I don't have a hydraulic puller, which would be difficult to use in the available space, and I wouldn't try beating it out.

I have never heated a bearing above its operating temperature. The seals these days are heat resistant. Years ago I used a large multi-core induction heater and an expensive contact thermometer, but now, for the little bearings on cars, I use a soldering iron and a cheap non-contact thermometer from Ebay, which is quite accurate enough for the job.

SKF Induction heaters

[Crasher]

The thing is, these bearings are bolted in, with the bolts out it should just pop out.

[FrenchAudi]

Right. An improvement on the system on my car, then, where the bearing is held in the upright by friction and faith.

Vorsprung durch technik - eventually

But not a good idea for use in countries where they slather the roads with salt in the winter.

The weight saving is negligible, but the production cost saving probably significant.

[Crasher]

There is a Technical Product Information notice about the bearing moving and the cure is basically Loctite bearing fit! Why didn’t they seal them in from new, in fact still don’t!

[FrenchAudi]

They shouldn't work loose unless the bearing deteriorates badly and vibrates, or seizes and turns in the housing.

I have only used Loctite bearing seal as a temporary repair, with owner's consent, or on my own stuff, preferably together with brinelling or pecking the inside of the housing with a center punch to tighten the fit.

[Crasher]

These do work loose and snap their bolts as the other chap has noticed, if the unit comes loose you start to get cracking noises during slow manoeuvring and there is a special VAG sealant which seals the bearing unit solid, the trouble is then they won’t come out when needed.

[FrenchAudi]

Sounds like bad design. Have you seen any bearings come adrift on my car's type of arrangement (B5), with a steel hub carrier/upright?

[Crasher]

Never on any VAG car with the pressed in design.

[FrenchAudi]

Maybe the design was changed due to the continuous efforts to improve.

Granted with the bolted cover, the bearing is easier to remove - it practically falls out