Wheel Bearings

[philhunt]

The disks and pads on my 98 300 tdi are way past their best and in need of replacement. Although they currently seem to be ok, I was wondering whether it would be a good investment to replace the wheel bearings and seals whilst I'm doing the brakes. The Disco's done 78000 miles.

I guess there will be 2 schools of thought - those who subscribe to the view that 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' and those who support 'preventative maintenance'. Either way I'm interested in your views.

[CNorman]

If that is you wading in your avitat then YES YES YES!!

Just wait until one fails on you through water ingress and you have your wheel flailing around or locked solid.

If i were fording like that then i would be replacing mine every year as part of a service.

How many others on here have had a wheel bearing fail on them in a larger than normal way?

[clbarclay]

Your going to disturb the bearings to remove the disc anyway so for the cost of new bearings and seals you might as well replace them at the same time.

[datalas]

Considering the cost of bearings (i.e. not much) especially in comparison to the other work you're doing I don't see any pressing reason to not put new bearings in there..

then again, I'm not sure there's that pressing a need to do so either,  you'll usually know when a bearing is going, or even on it's way out..

hmm, dunno, up to you I guess, but if I were dismantling it all I think I'd be tempted to refresh the bearings and the seals...

[beast5680]

if i was taking it to bits to do the discs i would be changing the bearings as well as a matter of course, as datalas says they,re not much money

[hobbit]

I agree with above too

dont take long to do, also see if the seal on the swivel joint is ok too, you have half the unit out for the discs, it may be worth doing the whole lot, especially with the wading side

[muddymart]

i had the rear bearings done when i changed the discs, and i couldnt believe the improvement, no noise at all and a smoother ride,

but i wouldnt pay for them doing again got ripped off.

[Tyke]

I'd change the bearings while the hub is off if they have been on for some time or show any sign of wear or discoulouration.

I had one fail the other week and had to change it at the side of the road before it siezed the inner race onto the stub shaft. Good job there's always a couple of spares in the cubby eh  

Prevention or swift replacement is always the better course of action. Don't wait untill one is well and trully shot.

[philhunt]

Thanks for the advice everyone - I was leaning towards replacement as a preventative maintenance measure and your replies have convinced me that this is the best way to go. I guess it also make sense to do the swivel seals also as suggested by Hobbit.

I usually get my bits from Paddock but they don't seem to do a wheel bearing kit as such (2 bearings, seals, gasket, lock tab etc etc. per wheel). Buying kits seems to be the cheapest way to get stuff. Can anyone recommend another site where I can get the complete kits that I need at a fair price?

[daveyravey]

I've done a fair bit of raking around for stuff & i ain't come across bearing sets  in pairs Phil

[philhunt]

I've done a fair bit of raking around for stuff & i ain't come across bearing sets  in pairs Phil

Hi Dave

A mate has just pointed me in the direction of these Seems a reasonable price per wheel.

[daveyravey]

Yep, it's about as cheap as they come Phil.
I spotted them last night as it's time to change mine . Still have the origionals in after 81,000, but i have discs to change for mot & have a clicky cv joint on the n/s.
It's gonna cost a small fortune this year as i have a windscreen to replace too.

Just had another look at that link & i retract what i said earlier. They are in pairs   :oops:

[barmiebrumie]

I've done a fair bit of raking around for stuff & i ain't come across bearing sets  in pairs Phil

Hi Dave

A mate has just pointed me in the direction of these Seems a reasonable price per wheel.

Used them a couple of times, always had a good service.

[daveyravey]

They certainly look ok, but it's good someone here has actually used them.