Jump to content

Front Wheel Bearings


Recommended Posts

Hello everyone

 

Just a quick question - am replacing the front wheel bearings and have removed the hub and outer bearing (knackered)

 

The inner bearing is sat in its recess in the hub.........before I do any damage, does it just tap out to the rear of the hub or is there anything else holding it in place?

 

Thank you

 

Nick

Link to post
Share on other sites

It should just tap out to the rear. There's a felt grease seal that needs to be removed as well. Make sure you get all of the old felt seal out, including the metal part. If you try to put a new seal in without having removed the metal part you'll have all sorts of trouble - and I know this how?

Link to post
Share on other sites

Sorry if this is obvious, but both the inner, & outer bearing's outer parts need to be drifted out of the hub - the rear is drifted from the front, & vica versa.

From your description it sounds to me as if you have only removed the inner part, which includes the rollers. all parts need to be replaced at the same time.

 

Bob.

Link to post
Share on other sites

If you clean out the old grease from the hub you should see the recesses in the hub that expose a small section of the outer race of the bearings that you can use to drift them out. I use a short length of aluminum rod but if you are careful any handy drift will do.

 

Stan

Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for your comments everyone...really helpful, on with the next stage now!

 

Noticed I don't have an oil felt on one side, no wonder it was all a bit slack

 

Must remember to remove the old metal parts as per Peejay above, before I fit the new felts!

 

Cheers, Nick

Link to post
Share on other sites

Nick

 

Some discussion has been had about soaking the new felt in oil before fitting and also trimming the felt to size?

 

I'm not sure on the recommended way but would be interested to hear from those who do

 

Graze

Link to post
Share on other sites

Guys

 

Next episode......bearings all removed and new ones inserted

 

BUT, the oil felt seems to have been replaced by a nylon bush ( is this from a Spitfire bearing kit?)

 

What I'm not sure about is :

 

1. Is it best to replace with a new nylon bush or the felt seal which comes with the kit?

2. Does the nylon bush also fit into a retainer which will need to be removed - difficult to see if there's one fitted?

3. Does the felt seal fit facing inwards or does the felt butt up against the hub (this would mean metal retainer would sit next to the metal hub where the inner bearing is situated....doesn't seem right?)

 

Help please.......photo attached

 

 

post-6828-0-88889300-1430997303_thumb.jpg

Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm not sure what the nylon part is all about. There are other alternatives to the felt seal so perhaps that is what the nylon thing is. If you are using the standard felt seal in the metal carrier, the felt faces towards the vertical link, ie it goes into the hub metal part first.

 

Stan

Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Stan

 

I think the rubber seals were put in by a previous owner

 

Attached thumbnails of "felt seal in carrier"......is this the right way round?

 

Thanks, Nick

post-6828-0-48294900-1431018692_thumb.jpg

post-6828-0-57597300-1431018739_thumb.jpg

Link to post
Share on other sites

Your pictures have the felt seal in the correct orientation Nick. The felt goes against the machined surface of the vertical link to act as a grease seal. It helps to have a set of bearing presses to get all of these bits pressed into the hub and a wheel bearing greaser to pack the bearings with grease.

 

Stan

Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Nick,

you will need to remove nearly all the exposed felt as they are too big. leave about 1/16 - 1/8.

 

Roger

You can add this too your list of **** parts Roger.

Been like this for years.

I sometimes wonder how many have just used as is and clamped it up all tight....

 

Cheers

Guy

Link to post
Share on other sites

I sometimes wonder how many have just used as is and clamped it up all tight....

Cheers

Guy[/quotas

 

what happens then? Premature bearing wear? Failure?

 

Graze

Edited by Graze
Link to post
Share on other sites

Guys,

 

So far so good, the felts were cut down, fitted and the bearings all back in place and adjusted

 

They took a bit of adjusting to allow for the felt seal and bearings to settle a bit

 

Then, the simplest of jobs.....replacing the disc dust shield ! Can I get the bl.....dy things in the right place

 

How stupid do I feel? Very.....

 

Would someone be able to please attach a photo to show their position and how to manouevre them into place....thank you.....big time!

 

Cheers, Nick

Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Graze,

the felt needs to be just thick enough to touch the VL bearing surface.

If it is too tight then you will generate a fair bit of heat and very possibly not have the bearing tight against its seat.

 

Hi NIck,

hold the dust shield like a frisby and see how far you can get it. Pick up the other one and see if you can get it further. And then; leave them there.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Roger

 

Love the frisbee theory

 

So given I did my seals without trimming, I probably need to re do them

 

I have adjusted them up twice

 

Why do they make parts which like this which need trimming?

 

Or without instruction

 

Graze ( feeling stupid)

Edited by Graze
Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Graze,

I have just measured the thickness of a new old stock seal and it is 0.334" overall including the metal carrier.

Graham

Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello Everyone!

Well after a few more pathetic attempts I started training as frisbee thrower as per Roger's advice!

 

I did quite well and after nearly decapitating the neighbour's cat, the Disc dust covers are lanquishing at the bottom of the garden awaiting collection later on this evening!

 

Never mind, bolt on the brake callipers......offside no problem, wheel turning nicely etc.,

 

Nearside. OMG, would you believe it the disc is jamming aginst the calliper even after the pads have been taken out

 

On closer examination, the disc is protuding a few mill' too far out from the hub.........those bl......dy felt pads !!!

 

I can't trim anymore off and I now understand why the prev owner had fitted the rubber lip seals (as per Spitfire option) as they are thinner than those horrible felt pads

 

Question: Does anyone know where I can get the rubber seals , part no: GHK1021 ?

 

When I stripped the nearside bearing down, the seal was missing so presumably to gain the right amount of clearance the PO dispensed with the seal altogether and ran the car without it..........

 

I'm now losing my long lasting affection for this car and if I had the strength, it too would be nestling at the bottom of the garden!!!

 

Any advice welcomed?

 

Cheers, Nick

Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Please familiarise yourself with our Terms and Conditions. By using this site, you agree to the following: Terms of Use.