This was the process I used for a mid 80s golf. Should be similar.
1. Slightly loosen the nut on the axle shaft.
2. Jack up the car, support it with jackstands, and remove the wheel
3. Remove the brake caliper
4. Remove the brake rotor
5. mark the position of the lower bolts on the strut assembly. They help control caster/chamber alignment. then remove the bolts.
6. Loosen the lower ball joint and separate it from the hub assembly
7. Remove the nut from the outer tie-rod end and separate it from the hub assembly.
8. Remove the axle shaft nut and remove the hub assembly from the axle shaft.
9. Press the bearings and rotor spindle from the hub assembly. This requires a hydraulic press.
10. Remove the bearing from the rotor spindle with a bearing puller.
11. Press the new bearing onto the rotor spindle to the same position as the old bearing.
12. Press the spindle and bearing into the hub assembly.
13. reverse the removal procedure to reassemble the front wheel.
NOTE: Make sure the axle shaft nut is tight before removing the vehicle from the jack stands. Torque the axle nut to the correct specifications before moving the vehicle. If you drive or move the vehicle with the axle shaft nut loose you can damage the new bearings.
These steps are as best as I can remember because I did this several years ago. You should really get a good service manual and review the procedure before attempting the job.
BuggZ, March 2007
