Wheel Bearings

[Guest Gregg]

Hi,

 

I have a loud grinding sound coming from the front of my car. I believe it the wheel bearing has failed. I have never done this before but I have strip it down to the hub but no further. Could you please provide some advise? Do I need any special tools? Also what type of grease do I use? I have multi-purpose grease, will this be enough?

I am really hoping this is the problem as everything else is new.

 

Thanks

 

Gregg

[Guest Lee81]

Basically strip it down to just the hub with the bearings and the end of the drive shaft still in place.

 

Separate the drive shaft by removing the gaiter and compressing the ring with pliers.

 

You may find the shaft will pull out but it will more than likly have the bearing inner race stuck on tight.

 

Take these parts and put them on a bench. A vice will be a great help in the next sections.

 

To remove the race stuck on the shaft the easiest way is to grind it down in one place than using a chisel and hammer drive it off.

 

The bearings in the hub are removed using the hammer and chisel again.

 

The new bearings can be installed using a socket of similar size to the bearing and/or a large flat washer. Using a bit of drift and a hammer drive them into the hub being careful to keep the bearing flat to hub without tilting it.

 

You should get grease with the new bearing. Reasseble everything as removed. Thighten nuts to correct torques.

 

This is also an ideal time to renew cv gaiters if they look worn or cracked.

 

Hope this helps

[Guest Gregg]

Thanks for that.

 

That is a great help. Sounds a lot harder than I thought. I found the grinding problem isn't the bearings. Will maybe do that soon but no need to do it straight away.

 

Looks like I can make the Ford Fair after all.

 

G

[Guest Lee81]

Its not that hard but can be difficult if you get seized nuts etc