This is what a bad strut bearing plate looks like

[Hairdo12]

Pictures speak for themselves:

 

 

 

The task really wasn't that hard, just took my time. I strongly believe there is no way you can get the center axle nut off without an impact. It wouldnt budge with a 24 inch breaker but the impact twisted it off in about 45 seconds. I then used a two jaw puller from harbor freight ($13 for three) to push the axle out of the wheel bearing. Of course I sprayed everything down with PB blaster the night before to help with the rust. Since the spring is shaped like a cone I used two sets of spring compressors because I was paranoid.

 

 

Here is how much I had to compress the spring to get the upper mount back on. If you have an impact, you don't need the special tool, just beat up on it with your 15/16 socket. I reused the isolator as it looked just fine to me.

 

 

Getting the assembly out I was able to do just fine by myself, but since I'm not a big guy I needed a helper to get it back into the wheel well. Once I got the upper mount in it was a one person job again.

 

If you're unsure about your bearing plate, I found a good test to be when the car is on the ground, grab the bearing plate and try to turn it side to side. It should move about 3/4 of an inch side to side. My drivers side was frozen solid, passenger moved freely like the new one does.

 

Oh one final thing, before I started I made numerious marks with a sharpie on the spring, isolators, mounts and strut assembly so I could line everything up the first time. I'm sure I would have been pretty pissed if I had to do something over.

 

What it looks like with the assembly out

 

[JBC2005]

What size is the axle hub nut? 34mm?

 

[mra32]

What size is the axle hub nut? 34mm?

 

 

36mm

[rockfangd]

i wish i had pictures. mine was waaaay worse than that lol. but i will warn you i messed up my springs compressing them in that routine. i ended up having to get new bottom plates, bearings, springs, top plates, and mounts. it is hard to see it but when you decompress the spring all the way you can see it.

[Venom]

Nasty!!

[GutlessSupreme]

What size is the axle hub nut? 34mm?

 

 

36mm

 

35mm.

[mra32]

What size is the axle hub nut? 34mm?

 

 

36mm

 

35mm.

 

Everyone around has said 36mm when I asked, so thats the socket I bought. I pretty much got most of my info from z34phoenix's website: http://z34phoenix.piczo.com/?g=48667619&cr=6

 

The 36 did seem like it could be a little smaller when I put it on the nut. I think my chiltons says 36 too, but I'd have to check (its 8 miles away right now).

 

Am I just crazy?

[rockfangd]

i think it is 36. 35 was too small. could be rust but 36 worked fine for me

[CSI_MuNkY]

I use a 1 3/8" socket, usually from a 3/4" drive socket set. When putting it back on I used the same socket with an adapter to use a half inch drive torque wrench and torque it to 182ft lb. (factory spec)

 

Jamie

[GutlessSupreme]

It is 35, but 36 fits. Somebody had even posted pics with proof of these because nobody believed him.

[5speedz34]

It is 35, but 36 fits. Somebody had even posted pics with proof of these because nobody believed him.

 

Werd.

 

Damn I thought it was just the bushing not the whole metal piece!!!

[meltboy1]

how long did this take you? Me and my friend are gona have to tackle this job on both my fronts soon.

[Hairdo12]

It is 35mm, but I used a 36mm.

 

It took about an hour to remove the assembly another hour to replace the plate and about two hour to get everything back together. I took my time and triple checked everything. I only had a helper for 10 mins to get the thing back in. You may want to allow more time if your ball joint needs to be replaced. Remeber to pb blaster the night before!

[meltboy1]

ya, well the guy at the shop today said he would do it for $150, so I am droppin it off in the AM... that's well worth the time it would take me and my friend to do it... lol

[Stevo]

that much corrosion ... i would not be surprised if it was 37mm

[Imp558]

BUMP! Crazy old thread, lol. Does anybody know what holds the bearing plate onto the lower part of the assembly? I might take mine apart today and clean it or replace it but I can't get too crazy with it because I'm redoing the entire suspension with upgrades soon.

Edited September 11, 2016 by Imp558

[rich_e777]

Good question, ive got replacements and will dig them out tomorrow. IIRC it goes between the piece with the studs and the rubber mount.

[Heartbeat1991]

BUMP! Crazy old thread, lol. Does anybody know what holds the bearing plate onto the lower part of the assembly? I might take mine apart today and clean it or replace it but I can't get too crazy with it because I'm redoing the entire suspension with upgrades soon.

Gravity. it just sits on there.  Make sure you line it up right.  The spring will hold it in place once it's all back together. 

[Imp558]

Mine must be rusted in place, I've had the assemblies out before and didn't even notice the bearing. I thought that was just a seat that was welded on.

[pitzel]

Thanks for this post and the pictures.  I just saw it, and I have to do the job on my passenger side.  The drivers side failed catastrophically due to rust and fatigue in rural Montana last spring.  Had to have it towed and buy a whole new assembly from a wreck .

 

[RobertISaar]

i suddenly have the urge to go inspect my spring seats....

[Galaxie500XL]

Something tells me that at least in this case, living where you do, ignorance probably is bliss.

[RobertISaar]

if i had to guess, I'd say the fronts are probably fine, but the rears.... I'm expecting horror. that's how the entire undercarriage has held up.

[Imp558]

No bearings in the rear. I worked a BUNCH of wd40 into my seized bearing and it feels pretty good now.

[White93z34]

I replace those as a matter of maintenance these days.