[vinman]

Hey guys, please take it easy on me. I´m a new escort owner. ´91 GT, but it needs lots of TLC. One of the first problems is in the left, front bearing. It is pretty much completely gone. There is significant play in the tire right through the mount to the CV joint and drive axel. Control arm and everything else in there seems pretty stable. The problem is that I can´t get the rotor off to get behind it. Because of all the driving with a bad bearing it has become pretty wedged on. I have a low-moderate amount of mechanical ability, but I know that if I do get it all taken apart, I will just have to go somewhere to have the bearing pressed out and a new one in. Is it going to just be easier to remove the whole spline, with rotor attached, and try to find a boneyard replacement, or should I go somewhere to have someone get the rotor off for me first, and then get "pressing?" Sorry to all escort enthusiasts, but this car is only needed to get me to work and back about 3 times per week, and I only live about 3 miles from work, so I am not looking to spend a large sum of money on it. I wish I could. I could also use help finding if anyone has found a web site that would show a breakdown diagram of all the part numbers and pieces included in this area. I have a Hanes manual, but it is a little generalized. Would any ´91 (or I guess 2nd gen) escort or tracer parts work or do I have to find specifically a GT spline? Thanks for the help in advance. I am trying to restore this escort to a reliable, drivable condition for a few years to come.

 

[James92Scort]

I´m thinking as long as it´s a 91 to 96 escort GT, then it would work.

 

[bpletch1]

vinman...

first off, welcome

secondly, FWIW, I ffel you´d be better off with a new hub assembly from a parts store
CONS - expensive ($150-$200)
PROS - NEW part, warranty, easy to swap, not a 100K bearing that might crap out in 5k and you´ll have to do it all over again

 

[James92Scort]

lol hey man you´re in ft wayne? I know of about 3 or 4 yards. there´s two just east of ft wayne and there´s at least one i can remember off covington road. There´s another one about 30 minutes north by Auburn. I never noticed your thing saying indiana. what a coincidence. I know of 2 other people from ft wayne on this site.

 

[DemonicEGT]

hehe i know James. hes a pretty cool cat. oh and new dood..welcome to FEOA.

 

[vinman]

James92Scort, thanks for the info. I think I have a lot of work ahead of me. Besides the bearing problem, I need to replace the rear rotors, but I need to go somewhere to get those removed as well because the screws holding the discs on are rusted tight. It appears that there is a leak of radiator fluid coming from the water pump. I guess that gets to be replaced too. Just got done doing new plugs, wires, cap and rotor. But hey, once these things are done, I might get to drive it before something else needs to be done. ;-)

 

[bpletch1]

go to a parts store like Pep Boys or Advance and get an impact screw driver - should run $20-$30

I has the same problem, but a couple of whacks with that thing broke them free!!!

 

[vinman]

Been there, done that! I already bought that impact wrench and wacked on the things about 50 times each without a budge. Any other thought would be appreciated.

 

[bpletch1]

did you use penetrating oil/WD40?

kind of a rhetorical question, cuz I´m SURE you did ;-)

 

[PTMD]

Try to tighten them first.It will usually break the rust. If all else fails drill the heads off and file two sides of the screws so you have a flat spot for some vice grips to get a bite.If allelse fails drill the center of the screw and collapse it towards the hole.

 

[vinman]

bpletch1,

Yep, sure did. Still a tough b1tch to crack. Had no luck.

PTMD,

I think you may just have a point. Might have to do it the "easy" way. Should be lots of fun. I´m sure an auto parts store will have some new screws up to speck for me afterwards, right?!?

Now, does anyone have any other words of advice for the bearing problem? How much does it usually cost to press bearings in and out? Auto Zone said they didn´t have the hub assembly, but maybe I just talked to the wrong guy the other day.

 

[James92Scort]

The more I go into Autozone the more I dislike that store. They´re always way over priced, they never have what I want, (like the starter...they had 5 for the 1.9, but none for the 1.8)...then they always gotta order it for you.

I think I´m gonna start goin to Napa and Advance Auto as well.