Rear Wheel Bearings....before I dive in.

Oldskoolrob

Active Member
Hi groovers, Last time Ole Reg what chooglin' I heard a consistent rumble from her caboose. That in conjunction with the slight groan on left turns makes me surmise the wheel bearings are tired. She sat still on them for a bout 15 years and as far as I can tell they're original, so I'm not surprised. So, only having had live axles before, is this a job I can do at home or is it easier to let a shop do it? I know it's a bit complex from what I've been able to search on the site here, but how hard could it really be? It's just wheel bearings, isn't it? I'd appreciate your advice, and where is best to get a complete kit to do the job, as there's no point doing it by halves. Cheers, Rob.
 
How old are your tyres, Oldskoolrob? As old as the wheel bearings? Did they also stand still for about 15 years? Old tyres might well account for the rumble from the rear. I think my car makes as many groaning noises as do other readers on here when I chime in with useless half remembered bits of second hand wisdom. That said, I can't fathom how knackered front wheel bearings would only make a noise when making left turns. Surely even a knackered left front bearing would also make noises when going straight ahead and turning right, too? I would have thought you would hear a constant rumble. Groan suggests suspension components to me. Apologies if that just muddies the waters.
 
All good Mr Task - tyres are brand new. Rumble is from the rear - just hoping it's not diff lol. The groan is really more of a rumble too - it's an old trick in the Holdens I've owned that when you hear that grumble in a turn it's the inside wheel bearing at fault. Usually the first sign before it gets noticeable. That being said I'm sure my suspension rubbers aren't what they used to be either.
New bearings wouldn't hurt and if they don't cure it, at least I can discount them from the differential diagnosis.......?
 
From memory the rear hub bearings use a crush tube to set pre-load, and this requires checking how much force is required to just rotate the hub, using a spring balance, and from the manual "the load required is high" - load 5-10lbs on new bearings, 3-8lbs on old bearings ABOVE the seal friction. Personally I wouldnt do the new bearings stuff myself, but would try the old bearing routine.
 
Well, I'm glad I'm not doing it myself when I rang the local Rover place and even they didn't want to do it!! Going back to the P5/6 Specialist a tad further away.
 
Hi Rob,

Here is a write up that I did for removing and replacing the rear wheel bearings. What you describe does indeed sound as if the bearings need replacing. You will need a new collapsible spacer and something very solid to hold the assembly when you apply the preload. It requires a very long lever arm and enormous effort to apply the necessary torque to produce the required preload. :oops:

Rear Hub Bearing Failure

Ron
 
Hi Rob,

Here is a write up that I did for removing and replacing the rear wheel bearings. What you describe does indeed sound as if the bearings need replacing. You will need a new collapsible spacer and something very solid to hold the assembly when you apply the preload. It requires a very long lever arm and enormous effort to apply the necessary torque to produce the required preload. :oops:

Rear Hub Bearing Failure

Ron
Ron
Are both bearings the same in the hub ?

Thanks
 
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