Removing the center carrier support without the jaw tool
 

I'm am halfway through replacing my flex discs and center carrier support.

Right now I am trying to remove the bracket without this special jaw tool shown here:

http://www.peachparts.com/diy/w123dr...bearing/10.jpg

Any tips on removing it without that special tool? I'm taking a break for dinner so there is no urgency in my request :)

Also on a small note. The fan shroud, do I really need it? I removed it when I did my coolant flush and never bothered to put it back in. So far everything has been fine so I don't see any urgency to put it back in.

Not to give an annoying answer, but is it possible to run to a Harbor Freight or Sears and just buy a big three-jawed puller? It's really easy with that tool and IIRC they aren't that expensive. Short of that, I'd try tapping it a little bit at a time with a punch around the circumference. You just want it to go off evenly and not go cockeyed and get stuck.

As for the fan shroud, I'm not sure, but I'd say you want that on there to deflect sticks and other random bits of nature and litter that may flip up into the fan.

You could use a press but you may not have one either. Actually there are so many common three jaw pullers around you should be able to borrow one somewhere.

the only option my tiny little brain can muster:

heat the hell outta that piece, cool the inner splines w/ ice and smack the outer with a hammer ( piece of wood)


or... the suggested method. Find the right tool for less than $25 and get it done without any damage.

... I kinda like that option.

fan shroud should be on. It helps the fan do its job.

its more important in warmer weather, but why keep it in your garage?

I just knock them off with a brass drift. Done plenty that way, just watch your hand with the hammer.

Harbor Freight and Sears are about a twenty or so minute drive into town at this hour it's just an ehh type of thing :P

A friend is going to lend me one tomorrow, but I would be ecstatic to get the entire job back tonight, but I think in the end I may just wait for him to loan me his.

As for the fan shroud, lets just say it broke a month ago when I was trying to do my coolant flush and change :o When I'm in California I'll go to a pick n' pull and just grab one from the millions of w123s there.

Concur. Failing that, drill a hole part way through the bearing and split it with a chisel. Or cut it part way through with a Dremel and cut-off wheel.

Agreed, that's the way I've done it. Putting the new one on was a PITA though.

You know, it might be easier to pull off if I remove the circlip :o

Edit: Alright I thought I was going nuts, but there is no circlip on my driveshaft. In fact there was an odd rubber covering that protected part of the spline from the elements.

Am I missing something? I'm going to have to boot up into windows to see if EPC is the same.

Edit 2: Just checked the FSM :o "Cars 1982 and later are not given a locking ring and are instead given a protective rubber cap."

Time to start beating this thing out!

Hit it hard with a hammer like it owes you money.

The new one will slide right on. Just clean the mating surface up a little, I used like 1000 grit sandpaper, put a very light film of grease on... and push(wiggle) the new bearing on. I had to "pull" mine off by hand a couple times before I reinstalled the driveshaft. No problems.

You guys were right! That was oddly easy with a punch and mallet!
That and I finally figured out how to get the drive shaft back together with the flex discs in place!

$20 saved and feeling mildly accomplished :cool: