Wheel Bearings, easy or hard to renew

[orchardm1]

Hi Guys,

Ive got an annoying drone/whine coming from one of my front wheels. Im pretty well covinced that its the wheel bearing that has worn, what id like to know is if its a DIY job. I know my way around a a cars workings, im by no means an expert but im pretty handy. Is it best left to the experts or should i give it a go.

cheers

[accentstencil]

You have to replace the whole hub assembly, you can't change the bearings. I don't think it's an overly difficult job although I've never replaced one. The hub assemblies can be expensive, depending on where you get it, so you would want to be sure it needs replacing.
Some tyres can be loud and sound a bit like a worn wheel bearing.

[Fr3ak+--]

yeah they are like 300-400 a side!

[Cheap6]

It is an easy job (but screwing it up could be expensive or get someone hurt.)

Wheel off, 19mm socket and 1/2" bar; caliper off, 19mm socket and 1/2" ratchet.

Disc off, soft face hammer - maybe.

Hub/bearing off, 8mm? Allen key - they will have thread locking compound on them from memory and be fairly hard to undo.

It's been a while since I've done one but I don't think you have to disconnect the steering tie rod end or remove a brake disc shield. There's a bit more if you do.

I would use Loctite 242 when putting the hub bolts back in too.

[Tom_1569]

yeah they are like 300-400 a side!

Im guessing you replace both sides just to be safe lol.
I always like to replace both sides at once, and is now just common practice, but not at that price, you'd be mad.

[BlackVXGTS]

As other posts have indicated, if it's just noise you are worried about it's more than likely to be coming from your tyres. To test, jack up the front wheels and try moving the road wheel by alternately moving them from top to bottom and from left to right (have the steering locked). If the hub bearings are worn or faulty you should be able to hear/feel some clunking. Replacement hubs/bearings are available on eBay for less than half the price of the genuine items but longevity is yet to be tested.

[Rufus®]

yeah they are like 300-400 a side!

you sure thats per side? I was recently quoted $188 each for the VX

[Benboy]

Im guessing you replace both sides just to be safe lol.
I always like to replace both sides at once, and is now just common practice, but not at that price, you'd be mad.

Always pays to do both sides at the same time. Keeps everything in 'harmony' and 'sync' and will give you confidence in the knowledge that neither side should fail and you lose a wheel - probably with disastrous results (and expensive too). Never pays to compromise on vehicle safety and roadworthiness.

[BOGANV8]

The best way to check if it the bearing as mine did the same thing gave a whirrrrrrrr noise was take the wheel off and the cailper and poss the disc then turn the hub flange slowly if it rumbles over and feels notchy then its stuffed..

I replaced mine on the last day of work before christmas break up and it took like 1 hr tops and that was stuffing round (BQQ and few beers) i admit i had a hoist and air tools but was not a overly hard job..

But now the other side has gone so i knew i should of done both sides but repco only had one in stock and it was christmas