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Rear wheel bearing adjustment


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Just got the 5 back from her engine rebuild and straight to her MOT. I got an advisory that the rear nearside wheel had too much play, but could be taken up by adjustment.

 

How do you adjust the bearing on the rear, the front is easy but cant find in any of my books how to do it on the rear.

 

Cheers Carl

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Hi Carl,

I believe the rear bearings are not adjustable.

These are pre-set and involve crushing an internal spacer tube to give the correct setting.

If the bearing is on its way out you will need a new/replacement hub.

 

Bearing replacement isn't really a DIY job.

 

Where ever you get your replacement from make sure that the hub rotates smoothly before you part with your cash - there is some rubbish out there.

 

 

Roger

Edited by RogerH
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Carl,

 

Despite the conventional wisdom ;) it is sometimes possible to take the play out of the rear bearings - I've done it with mine. The large nut on the rear of the bearing carrier has to be tightened, but not over tightened. No specific instructions have been published, but some TR specialists will undertake this or tell you how to proceed over the phone.

 

If the collapsible spacer is over-collapsed then only a rebuild will do. I decided to give it a go on mine because they weren't in service very long when the looseness became evident. They've done thousands of miles since with no issues.

 

Could be the chance of success adjusting may be comparable to the chance of getting properly rebuilt ones <_<

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Carl

 

Tom beat me to it.

 

I had / have a new hub unit from one of the reputable suppliers which, after only 1,000 miles or so, started to rumble ever so slightly. I took the drive shaft off the car and the hub felt smooth but loose. The large locknut on the inboard side of the hub felt slack although it was held by the lockwasher. I tapped the lockwasher out of the way and did the locknut up by hand until I could tighten it no more (must have been best part of one half turn of the nut) I then peened the lockwasher back in place and it then felt smooth and firm.

 

All went back on the car and I'm not sure if it is still on there (which will be 15k miles later) or whether it got changed out later and is one of my spares. I can only presume that it became loose as the bearing and other "gubbins" in there settled together.

 

Anyway, it is worth giving it a try, you have nothing to loose.

 

Regards

 

Tim

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Thanks Guys

 

Will attempt Tim and Toms advice on Saturday and hopefully all will be well.

 

Cheers Carl

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