Overhauling the uprights

We do not plan to make a lot of changes to the uprights. We want to clean them up. Inspect them. Replace the wheel studs with longer and stronger studs. Replace the wheel bearings and service them to minimize drag.

First step is disassembling the uprights. We pull the hubs and remove the bearings. The uprights go into the sandblaster and are closely inspected for damage.

Driver side front upright outer view

Driver side front upright inner view

Passenger side rear upright outer view

Passenger side rear upright inner view

Each upright is then carefully painted. In a perfect world anodizing might be lighter, but paint gives a good quick result.

The old hubs look a little rough but they are sound.

The old studs are pressed out and the hubs are cleaned up a little. The new studs are pressed in using a 20 ton press and a conveniently sized socket.

The hubs look pretty impressive with their longer studs. Front hub

Rear hub

The old bearings look pretty good considering they have gone 108,000 miles.

We go ahead and replace all the wheel bearings. The stock grease is removed and replaced with Valvoline synthetic grease.

Each upright is heated to help the bearing go in easier.

Then the bearing is pressed in.

done!