Wheel bearings

randy · Post by **randy** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 4:04 am

Hi,
Its now time to 'service' the wheel bearings.

I've never done this before so I have some questions..
* Do i need to use a 'bearing puller' as in the manual or is there some other way to get them out?
* Do I just grease them and put them back if they 'look' ok, or do I replace them? are they sealed or are they not?
*

burty · Post by **burty** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 7:48 am

IIRC the wheel bearings are sealed items so there is no serviceability. New items are not expensive anyway, so if they are in need of care it's probably worth replacing, if you are planning to remove them then I'd replace them anyway.

They can be knocked out with a long drift from the other side, the process is straightforward. Make sure your wheel is supported so that you don't damage the discs. Knock them out with the drift, work around the bearings so that they come out straight. New bearings should be pushed in, with force applied to the outside not the inner race. Also, don't forget to replace the spacer tubes that fit between the bearings inside the wheel. Use new seals.

trixynut · Post by **trixynut** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 12:02 pm

When you're fitting the new ones, put them in the freezer overnight before: just shrinks them a little and makes them easier to fit.

Also, use the old bearing on top of the new one to tap it into position: little taps all round the circumference to keep it square.

randy · Post by **randy** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 11:09 pm

Thanks guys. the service manual has 'service' intervals for the wheel bearing as 6000kms.
Since they are non-servicable does that mean they should be replaced every 6000kms? that doesn't sound right?

Greg · Post by **Greg** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 11:49 pm

I'd take that to mean inspection intervals...

Wheel bearings only need changing when they're shagged which you'll find out when you hear the rumble, feel the shimmy or inspect the wheel...

G

Greg · Post by **Greg** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 11:57 pm

When fitting new bearings it's easy to let them get off-square as you make the first couple of knocks to seat them. I've used (as Trix suggested) the old bearing before, but recently used a large socket about the same diameter as the outer race and a 9 inch extension to good effect. Simply insert the extension bar into the inside of the socket then drop that down through the spacer tube inside the hub - that way the face of the socket is always parallel to the wheel and you can knock the bearing into place ...

Top Tip Time !!

youngy · Post by **youngy** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 10:19 am

this is also a good way of ensuring the bearing is square when you remove it - stops it jamming.