diggler

Thanks both. The bearing had started to ooze black grease onto the backplate (I was changing the slave cylinder), but there was no noise or rumbling when driving, so think I got it pretty early. I’ll clean it all up properly and try it with the new bearings to see if they feel loose as suggested. If not, and as johny says he’s seen worse, it might be okay to go back on.

Thanks guys, some good tips. I’ve got a proper puller and it was pretty straightforward - went with a massive bang, just like everyone says! I’ve used a 2 leg puller to pull the bearing and carrier off the shaft…and oh dear, looks like this shaft is toast. The car was sat for over 20 years and recommissioned by the previous owner. Think the grease solidified and the needle bearings became too friendly with the shaft. A few of the cups on the UJs were dry and the yoke arms heavily ridged when I stripped those, with solid grease in the yoke meaning new grease could never get to the cups. I expect I’ll find similar when I strip the other side down, so I’m committed to doing the whole back end now!

It’s a Mk1.

It’s a Mk1.

Update: finally got back on the spanners, and with some rubber mallet action, managed to get 3 undone. The fourth was cut. Big relief! Now to get the hub off and the bearing changed.

I’ve not had a chance to get back under the car; I’ve ordered a spanner extension and will give that a go at the weekend.

Thanks all, confirmed my thoughts that these are tighter/more seized than normal. I’ll try the hub trick @Josef and look into spanner extenders @68vitesse too - never seen those before! In stripping down the hub assembly it looks like it’s not been apart before - unmarked bolt heads, factory paint under washers, etc. It’s a 67 and was dry stored for about 20 years before I got it. All this is because I need to replace he hub bearings, and base n experience so far I’m dreading getting the hub and bearings off - even with a proper hub puller!

Hi all, spent far too long this weekend trying to shift the bolts attaching the half shaft to diff flanges on my Vitesse 2 Litre. Despite loads of penetrating oil nothing doing. Not aided by only being able to get spanners onto the nut and bolt heads, so little leaverage. I’ve even resorted to trying to cut the bolt but can’t get a decent angle onto it. So, any advice? Getting it to a garage isn’t a desirable option as I don’t want to put the everything else back at the hub end and reconnect and bleed the brakes.