Wheel Bearing "How To" Discussion Thread

[Fowvay]

Discuss the Wheel bearing "How To" here.

Click here for the actual "How To"

[bugasm99]

just out of curiousity, what are we discussing?

[Fowvay]

If people have questions they can discuss it here.

[bugasm99]

sounds good to me

[beetleguy]

So....what are the symptoms of a "bad" wheel bearing?

[bugasm99]

there are a few symptoms to look out for. Usually you will get some vibration from the front end, a clicking noise when turning, loud groaning noise (what I had), a loose feeling in the front end over bumps, and any other symptoms any one would like to share. You can usually tell if it is both, or which side while turning. If you are making a left turn and hear the noise then it is the right bearing, and vice versa. A good way to check is to jack up that side of the car and try and move the wheel in an up/ down, or left/ right direction. You should not get any play that isn't associated with the suspension.

[AmyJane]

Originally Posted by beetleguy

So....what are the symptoms of a "bad" wheel bearing?

There are a couple symptoms. A rumbling, grinding or metal to metal noise coming from the wheel (not like brake squeal)that may happen all the time or just when you are turning in a certain direction, too much play in the wheel, or jerky steering and braking.

[scarabY2k]

Originally Posted by Bugasam99

12 | The only varying step is the torquing of the axle nut back on the axle. With the nut tight on the axle, you will want to place the wheels back on the car and lower it to the ground. With the full weight of the car on the ground you will want to tighten the axle nut to 221 ft/lb of torque. then loosen the nut one whole rotation. Retighten the nut to 37 ft/lb of torque, and then 30 degrees (one point on the nut) tighter. This will seat the bearings and then torque it down without over torquing. This is very important and I do not recommend you do this part without a torque wrench.

note the highlighted section. Are you saying that after torquing to the specs (221, loosen nut one whole rotation, retighten to 37, then 30 degrees) to seat the bearing properly, do you then further torque the hub nut tight to the spindle.

[esse10]

I think you fergot to mention to the folks that replacing the axle nut with a new one is critical. Some bolts that you stretch (using the +90 degeree or 1/4 turn after torque) also might be a good Idea to replace with new one's.