Hi all,
I started to take apart the front hub units on my 1983 300D because I'm going on a long trip friday and wanted to fix the bad bearings. I thought all would go well until I saw that the bolts that connect the brake discs to the hubs are frozen on. Does anyone have any tips for getting these off? I really need this car by friday which means that I have only a little more than two days to get this thing fixed. Nothing ever goes as planned. Thanks for the help.

Alex

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1983 300D (parked for four years)
2012 VW Sportwagen TDI Manual
2001 Miata SE
1962 Chevrolet Corvair Rampside

I would try an impact wrench.

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Jim

If all you need to do is replace the bearings then there is no need to touch those bolts. Just take a screwdriver or brass drift and knock out the bearing races, tap in new races and reassemble. If for some reason you need to remove those bolts (replacing the disks maybe??), go buy this stuff called "PB Powerblaster." It works great for breaking loose rusted bolts. Can also try heat, but a good socket with a long breaker bar and a pipe can do wonderfull things. Give 'em hell, put your body weight into it and it'll come apart.

Greg

Yes, there is no reason to separate the disc from the hub unless you are replacing the discs. I replaced mine, and found clamping the old disc in a vise and using a breaker bar worked great. If you are just replacing the bearings and races, as Greg said just knock them out with a drift.

I wanted to replace the brake pads and rotors while I was at it because they are wearing pretty thin. I think I might take it over to my local mechanic tomorrow and see if he can take an impact wrench to it. I really hope the threads in the holes and on the bolts stay in tact.

Alex

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1983 300D (parked for four years)
2012 VW Sportwagen TDI Manual
2001 Miata SE
1962 Chevrolet Corvair Rampside

I bolted the hub and rotor back to the tire with a couple of bolts, turned it upside down on the driveway and used one of those allen wrench sockets from Pep Boys. Done it a couple of times now with a breaker bar.
Good Luck, Dan

'73 220D
'79 300SD
'85 300D turbo

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Dan Stadt
'85 300D turbo
'79 300SD
'73 220D

Thanks guys, I got the problem solved at my local shop who took an impact wrench to it. I noticed some blue stuff on the threads of the bolts. Is that threadlocker? Should I use some of that stuff when I reassemble everything? Thanks again everyone

Alex

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1983 300D (parked for four years)
2012 VW Sportwagen TDI Manual
2001 Miata SE
1962 Chevrolet Corvair Rampside

That is threadlocker. Try using the "removable" threadlocker from Lock Tight - it too, is blue. If the heads of the bolts where you insert the allen wrench are showing wear now is the time to replace them.

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Jim