Front Wheel Bearings

Syncro 4&4 Discussion and Q&A last answered over 2 years ago.
You may also want to visit the Wiki(pedia) for a more structured index of T25 repair, maintenance, technical and ownership topics (browse for Syncro links)

You can find further syncro specific information on the Syncronauts website.

Moderators: User administrators, Moderators

Locked
User avatar
Trundler
Registered user
Posts: 171
Joined: 08 Aug 2006, 12:08
80-90 Mem No: 2998
Location: Nateby, Lancs

Front Wheel Bearings

Post by Trundler »

My van has developed an ominous rumbling from (I think) a wheel bearing. It sounds like the front, which are obviously not standard Type 25 - I assume the rears are.

GSF don't list front bearings for the Syncro. Has anyone any idea how much they are, where they can be bought, and any tips on how hard it is to replace them (there doesn't seem to be anything on the Wiki).

Any help appreciated!

:)
1987 Type25 Transporter Syncro 2.1DJ
+ some other less important vehicles...
80-90 member no. 2998

User avatar
syncroandy
Trader
Posts: 1920
Joined: 18 Oct 2005, 18:15
80-90 Mem No: 851
Location: North Lancs. UK
Contact:

Post by syncroandy »

Did you try the forum 'Search' function ? eg.

this thread and this one.
Syncrosport (taking a break as of summer 2024)
Volkswagen Transporter, reloaded.

252 GC5 EJ25 AAN L90D

User avatar
Trundler
Registered user
Posts: 171
Joined: 08 Aug 2006, 12:08
80-90 Mem No: 2998
Location: Nateby, Lancs

Post by Trundler »

:oops: :oops: ...er, ta very much.
1987 Type25 Transporter Syncro 2.1DJ
+ some other less important vehicles...
80-90 member no. 2998

User avatar
Trundler
Registered user
Posts: 171
Joined: 08 Aug 2006, 12:08
80-90 Mem No: 2998
Location: Nateby, Lancs

Post by Trundler »

Well, following the advice on the other threads I've checked all four wheels for play. None of them rock at all - in fact they feel rock solid! :lol:

I've discovered that it is not possible to spin the wheels to listen for rumbling though, as on a Syncro all the wheels are interconnected. Is it possible to spin a wheel by jacking up more than one? It will be difficult to diagnose which bearing is making the noise otherwise. :?
1987 Type25 Transporter Syncro 2.1DJ
+ some other less important vehicles...
80-90 member no. 2998

User avatar
toomanytoys
Trader
Posts: 2872
Joined: 11 Oct 2005, 18:37
80-90 Mem No: 41
Location: Boston area, South Lincolnshire

Post by toomanytoys »

Yes jack up a pair.. but there will still be a lot of "friction"
could be the front dif though.. get hold of the output flanges and give them a wriggle.. might have play in those bearings... :cry:

User avatar
HarryMann
Admin/Mod
Posts: 9610
Joined: 30 Sep 2005, 11:40
80-90 Mem No: 379
Location: Herts, UK

Post by HarryMann »

Wheel bearings tend to drone or hum, not rumble...

But if they are really shot to pieces then i suppose rumble might come into it

Suspect it could be a propshaft UJ (any vibration) or as TMT says, possibly front duff bearings. In fact, first drop the oil in the front diff (ensuring you can remove the filler plug) and chekc the amount that comes out and the quality.. replace with new. Inspect removed oil for thick sticky smelly stuff (burst VC) and/or metal particles (bearing breaking up)

The 80-90 Tech Wikipedia Your 1st port of call :idea

Syncro Kastenwagen / 16" Kombi Camper
Syncronaut No. 1

User avatar
Trundler
Registered user
Posts: 171
Joined: 08 Aug 2006, 12:08
80-90 Mem No: 2998
Location: Nateby, Lancs

Post by Trundler »

Many thanks chaps.

I think the Diff oil and the VC will be OK as they were only changed 3k ago. The noise is not the usual droning of a wheel bearing but then I've heard bearings make all sorts of noises over the years on different vehicles!

The noise does display the classic wheel bearing symptom of being noisy on the straights and cornering one way (left in this case) and quiet when cornering the opposite way. I think I remember from previous experience that they tend to be quieter when heavily loaded, which suggests one of those on the left hand side of the van. There is also some (not a lot of) high-frequency vibration.

I'll have another good ferret around tomorrow if my headache lets me.... :lol: :roll:
1987 Type25 Transporter Syncro 2.1DJ
+ some other less important vehicles...
80-90 member no. 2998

last red star
Registered user
Posts: 269
Joined: 08 Nov 2005, 22:36
80-90 Mem No: 0
Location: kent

front wheel brg

Post by last red star »

i have just replaced one on my westy syncro no problem at all and is now no rumbles

Locked