Front wheel bearings..How hard to do?

Post by **karl40** » 24 Jul 2011, 16:09

Hello all
Has anyone changed the front wheel bearings on a A reg devon WBX ? The old girl has just flown through the MOT without a problem but over the last week has developed a low burring noise from the front drivers side. It only becomes noticable at 30+MPH and changes tone as speed picks up or when turning . I thought Wheel bearing and have priced up the kits which start from £15 to £35 from Brickworks, and was woundering how hard is it to do. I do like to do as much as i can on our van but if the advice is pass it on to the professionals what should i be looking to pay? Thanks for the advice as always Karl.

Post by **kit** » 24 Jul 2011, 16:17

I get mine done by a mechanic as he is fast and therefore cheap he does them in about 1/2 an hour, don't get the GSF ones trust me you will regret it.

Post by **karl40** » 24 Jul 2011, 16:22

What was the problem with the bearings from GSF? There are some for sale from an Ebay seller who has a shop B&B Components ans they are selling them for £10 plus posting what do you think?

Post by **kit** » 24 Jul 2011, 16:50

I was getting through a set every year until I got them from Baxters and I have not changed them since.

Post by **Titus A Duxass** » 24 Jul 2011, 16:51

Changing the bearings is easy, my 11 yr old nephew did mine for me.
We had to undo the caliper mounting bolts for him, it took him about 40 mins a side.

Post by **Ian Hulley** » 24 Jul 2011, 18:40

karl40 wrote:What was the problem with the bearings from GSF?

Made of chinky chocolate ... VERY poor quality.

Do yourself a favour, buy the best, go to Brickwerks ... http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/shop?page=s ... gory_id=80

Ian

Post by **colinthefox** » 24 Jul 2011, 18:45

I don't like to run down GSF, they sell some pretty good stuff, but I have also had real problems with their wheel bearings on Vol-vos and Peugeots too. I'll never buy a GSF wheel bearing again.

Post by **karl40** » 24 Jul 2011, 19:42

what about the ones from VW Heritage they are £20 each side, would they be a bad as GSF ?

Post by **California Dreamin** » 25 Jul 2011, 08:46

It's all about the brand.....there are some very cheap low quality bearings available, some from China and several from former Eastern Block countries.
I also believe that many of these premature failures are possibly down to mechanical ignorance and lack of knowlege with 'taper roller bearings'.
Taper roller bearings must NOT be loaded (tightened with a socket) and need a slight working clearance to allow for expansion. They need properly packing with multipurpose high melting point grease.
I am concerned that some novice mechanics maybe getting this wrong, endangering themselves and others.
As for an 11 year old doing this...NO WAY! the bearing races are a bugger to get started and in all my rears of training apprentices (14 - 16 year olds on there IMI L2 qualification) I haven't met one that could do this by their own without me first starting the bearing race off.

Martin

Post by **Titus A Duxass** » 25 Jul 2011, 09:41

Aforementioned 11 yr old in action:

Post by **California Dreamin** » 25 Jul 2011, 16:10

So you let him give you a hand! hats off to you for allowing him to have a go but come on.....what 11 year old can undo Transporter wheel bolds (180NM) even with a Snapon breaker bar..

and then there is the afore mentioned bearing races, first knocking them out and then getting them back in square.....you're avin a larf......

Martin

Post by **karl40** » 25 Jul 2011, 17:46

Well i was game to have a go..... but now i am not so sure now, how much would a garage charge?

Post by **California Dreamin** » 25 Jul 2011, 20:17

About an hour and a quater each side (pads at the same time) 2.5 hours labour but I said an 11 year old couldn't do it...an adult is different!

Martin

Post by **waltraud** » 26 Jul 2011, 18:42

Do it yourself and save money, just be careful, don't rush it and make sure you put the new bearing races in square and central, check your haynes or othr manual for the right level of play, as has been said don't think that they need to be tightened up like a nut and bolt, there should be a small amount but noticeable play when you rock the wheel at 12 and 6pm. If over tight the bearings will wear super-quick. Mine started sounbding teerible with 5 men and a load of gear in the van going to Glastonbury, changed then in a field before coming home, took an hour and 20 mins taking it slowly and carefully and keeping everything clean.

cheers, T

Post by **kit** » 26 Jul 2011, 19:12

waltraud wrote:Do it yourself and save money, just be careful, don't rush it and make sure you put the new bearing races in square and central, check your haynes or othr manual for the right level of play, as has been said don't think that they need to be tightened up like a nut and bolt, there should be a small amount but noticeable play when you rock the wheel at 12 and 6pm. If over tight the bearings will wear super-quick. Mine started sounbding teerible with 5 men and a load of gear in the van going to Glastonbury, changed then in a field before coming home, took an hour and 20 mins taking it slowly and carefully and keeping everything clean.

cheers, T

You could have done mine while you were there

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Front wheel bearings..How hard to do?

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