Porsche Repair: REPLACING FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS, front wheel bearings, outer bearings

Question
Dave,

I've always been a little leery of having a wheel come off on a 'twistie' after replacing the bearings - so I left it to the professionals, though I have seen the job done.  I may still do that with my 911SC if I can't find the 'special' tools required to do the job (which I'm sure I'll need) especially to press the bearings on and off.  Where can I find new "races" to replace in the hub?  I can't find them in Pelicans...or do I need to buy new hubs? I've rebuilt two Chevy 'strokers' - they both came out with about 370HP to the rear wheels: one in a '68 Camaro, the other in a '78 Camaro.  I like the 'go fast' stuff. :-)
Followup To
Question -
Dave,

I have a pretty good degree of experience working with/on foreign cars - BMW, MB and Volvo at the beginner and intermediate levels.  I've rebuilt 3 American engines, a tranny and a rear-end.  So my back yard skill level would be "competent".  This is my first Porsche, and I haven't done anything beyond regular 'topside' maintenance and repairs.

Charlie
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Followup To
Question -
I need to replace the front wheel bearings on my 911SC.  Should I replace both inner and outer bearings? What special tools if any will I need? Recommended grease to pack the bearings?
Answer -
Hi Charlie,

The answer to your first question is absolutely, change both the inner and the outer bearings...but even MORE important is the need to change the "races" that each bearing rides in.  Never just replace the bearings...the new bearings may not and likely never ever would seat properly in the old used races.  The new bearings would quickly wear out and then you'd have the oportunity to do the job again.  

And whenever we talk about wheel bearings we always consider the worst-case scenario:  If we haven't done the job properly, the front wheel will come off the car at high speed and while going around a corner...the bearings and the holding nut are all that keep the wheels where they should be.  This job has to be done properly and thoroughly.

WOW!  That even scares me and I've been changing wheel bearings for 35 years.

This is one of the most basic jobs on a car.  It's vitally important it be done correctly, and if you had some special tools it would be better!  But over time my toolbox has grown to where I have no tools that are special for this purpose, yet I have several tools that I must use to get the job done in my home garage.  Have I confused you yet?  Stay with me.  I'd  encourage you to do this job...you'll get a lot of satisfaction from it.  

Before I go any further it would be very, very helpful to me to understand what level of experience you have with working on your 911.  Could you write back and in twenty-five words or less give me something like:

"I been working on my owns cars for xxx years, including a Rolls, a Bentley, and my little red Ferrari.  I've had the Porsche 3 years now and I've done the following to it.....etc, etc."

I want to try to give you the right level of explanation...and it definitely would be different depending on how much experince you've got and what other jobs you've done around a car.  Write back using the follow-up feature on All-experts...we'll get that 911 up in the air and back down with very little fuss.

Dave
Answer -
Charlie,

You should be writing a column on how to rebuild engines...with all that experience!  I'm impressed.  Just to be clear...the wheel bearing race removal and re-install process for the 911 (but not a 930) is going to be very similar to just about any american car and very close to the BMW/Mercedes.  Are you saying with all that opportunity to get greasy (and with wheel bearings grease is the main by-product) you've never done this job?

Dave

PS.  Have you ever rebuilt a Chevy 350 and stroked it to a 383?

Answer
Charlie...

Thanks for the nice feedback, I really appreciate it.  If you have any questions or sticking points along the way, just let me know.

I want to follow-up on the stroker question if I could.  I have a stock '70 350 in a '68 El Camino that wants to go on forever, but is sooooo tired, it's time for a rebuild.  My thought was to take it up to a 383, but then I saw some of the "kit" prices and had second thoughts.

All I want is a stout street motor to have a bit more fun with in the El Camino as I drive back and forth to Home Depot.  Do you have a special recipe passed down from generations of stroker builders?  Or could you just give me some ideas to get my imagination started???

Thanks again.

Dave
(godavesec@yahoo.com)