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richie60

New Member
Thought i'd have a crack at replacing the rear wheel bearings on my defender. I can't get anywhere with it because the rear spring is sort of in the way of one of the bolts that holds the caliper on, so a socket doesn't fit it, then tried to undo it with ring spanners and bent one of them.

Looking like it's gonna have to go off to a garage for them to sort out as I am not confident in having to remove the spring to sort it out.

Richie
 
the spring is not difficult. jack the chassis up and let the axle drop down. is it not possible for you to get some heat to the bolt a blowtorch should get it warm enough you dont need to attack it with oxy-acetalene
 
theres not enough clearence to get a socket on with it compressed, jack up the body a bit that should give you enough space in there to crack it off with a socket.

what spanners you using, didnt bend mine and it was fuggin tight, bit o penetrating fluid, left overnight, and then tried.
 
I got the 12 point socket set so should be ok with that, just need the clearance.

Is lifting the car via the chassis gonna give me enough space?
 
When I did mine I used a universal joint next to the socket to allow me around the spring but if you lift it on the chassis you should be able to get between the coils
 
chezvegas said:
When I did mine I used a universal joint next to the socket to allow me around the spring but if you lift it on the chassis you should be able to get between the coils
Click to expand...

Wobble extensions can be good for jobs like this annorl.
 
After the ball ache I had removing the rear caliper bolts last year, this year I just hammered a 1/2" socket onto the bolts (different calipers on another axle) and used a breaker bar. JFD.
 
timtheenchanteruk said:
theres not enough clearence to get a socket on with it compressed, jack up the body a bit that should give you enough space in there to crack it off with a socket.

what spanners you using, didnt bend mine and it was fuggin tight, bit o penetrating fluid, left overnight, and then tried.
Click to expand...

You borrowed my 1/2" socket,


I've never not been able to get to the bolts done all mine with an ax,e stand under the axle, I use a ver short extension on my 1/2" dia 3/8" drive ratchet

You need a 1/2" socket think it 12 point not the 5 type
 
warrior said:
You borrowed my 1/2" socket,


I've never not been able to get to the bolts done all mine with an ax,e stand under the axle, I use a ver short extension on my 1/2" dia 3/8" drive ratchet

You need a 1/2" socket think it 12 point not the 5 type
Click to expand...

Hmmm... I have a socket that fits just it will not even sit on the bolt because of the spring in the way. I had a closer look at my spring, may need to try and rotate it to get better access because as it is now, the lower part is just in the way and I cant see that lowering the axle will make a difference.
 
The caliper bolts have locktite on,so are fekin tight.
I find a breaker bar and a 12 point socket does the trick.
Good luck.
 
I stick a combination spanner on the nut then use a long ring spanner on the open jaw of the first spanner to get the extra leverage.
 
richie60 said:
Thought i'd have a crack at replacing the rear wheel bearings on my defender. I can't get anywhere with it because the rear spring is sort of in the way of one of the bolts that holds the caliper on, so a socket doesn't fit it, then tried to undo it with ring spanners and bent one of them.

Looking like it's gonna have to go off to a garage for them to sort out as I am not confident in having to remove the spring to sort it out.

Richie
Click to expand...

Wheel off and are you going in over the top of the wheel assembly to get to the top caliper bolt? So looking down on it; I've just done both rears and the spring wasn't an issue in any way.
 
redhand said:
I stick a combination spanner on the nut then use a long ring spanner on the open jaw of the first spanner to get the extra leverage.
Click to expand...

That's how I bent the spanner:)

Finally managed to crack it this afternoon with a tougher ring spanner. One side done, do the nearside later in week...

I would like to thank everyone for their methods in making this job easier to do:)
 
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