Rear wheel bearings - testing and renewal

Suspension and steering / Rear wheel bearings - testing and renewal

Testing
1 Chock the front wheels, then jack up the rear of the car and support on axle stands (see “Jacking and vehicle support”). Release the handbrake.

2 Spin the wheel. A rumbling noise will be evident if the bearings are worn in which case they must be renewed.

Renewal
3 Remove the wheel then prise off the central hub cap and extract the split pin. Remove the locking ring (see illustrations).

10.3a Removing the rear wheel hub cap

10.3b Rear wheel bearing split pin and locking ring

4 Unscrew the hub nut and remove the thrustwasher and outer wheel bearing (see illustrations).

10.4a Rear wheel bearing thrustwasher

10.4b Removing the rear wheel outer bearing

5 Withdraw the brake drum. If difficulty is experienced, the brake shoes must be backed away from the drum first. To do this, insert a screwdriver through one of the bolt holes and push the automatic adjuster wedge upwards against the spring tension. This will release the shoes from the drum.

6 Prise the seal from the inside of the drum with a screwdriver.

7 Remove the inner bearing, then using a soft metal drift, drive out the bearing outer races (see illustration).

10.7 Drive the outer races out of position using a hammer and punch

8 Clean the components in paraffin, wipe them dry, then examine them for wear and deterioration. Check the rollers and races for signs of pitting. Renew the bearings as necessary and obtain a new oil seal. Wipe clean the stub axle.

9 Using a suitable metal tube or socket, drive the outer races into the drum/hub (see illustration).

10.9 Drive the outer races securely into position using a socket on the outer edge

10 Lubricate the bearings with lithium based grease then locate the inner bearing in its race (see illustration).

10.10 Work grease into the taper roller bearings prior to fitting them to the hub

11 Smear the lips of the new seal with a little grease. Using a block of wood drive the seal squarely into the drum/hub with the lips facing inwards (see illustration).

10.11 Grease the lips of the seal, and press it into the rear of the hub

12 Refit the drum and locate the outer bearing on the stub axle.

13 Fit the thrustwasher and hub nut, and tighten the nut hand tight.

14 Refit the wheel.

15 With the hub cap, split pin, and locking ring removed, tighten the hub nut firmly while turning the wheel in order to settle the bearings.

16 Back off the nut then tighten it until it is just possible to move the thrustwasher laterally with a screwdriver under finger pressure. Do not twist the screwdriver or lever it (see illustration).

10.16 Checking the rear wheel bearing adjustment with a screwdriver (see text)

17 Fit the locking ring together with a new split pin, then tap the hub cap into the drum with a mallet.

18 Lower the car to the ground.