Help needed! Rear Wheel Bearings!

[dan_griffiths]

Hey all,

Just got back from the garage with an altered exhaust. It was causing a loud rattle due to tapping the rear axle.

When that was fixed, the noise continued. The mechanic came for a spin with me and said it's the rear wheel bearings.

So my questions are:-
1, Is it possible to purchase/change these yourself?
2, This dodgy garage offered £150/200 for just the bearings (inc labour)
3, Ebleys offered £450 for the whole hub (inc labour)

If it is possible to do it myself, what do I need and is there anyone that has done this themselves that could give me a set of instructions?

Thank you ever so much

[Stixy]

Yes, you can do them yourself, not a particular hard job. Before buying new hub bearings, how's the inside edge of your rear tyres, as these can cause a lot of droning when driving, do they feel like a "50p"?

When buying a new rear wheel bearing, make sure you get the correct type for you car, there are 2 types, this is to do with how the ABS generates the wheel speed signal. Go to a reputable parts dealer with you VIN. You should be supplied with the correct type according to your VIN.

Are they positive that it's the wheel bearing, since it a rattle and not a drone then its more likely to be a worn bush?

[davehawkes]

had alfa 33 1.3s and the rear bearing started to go.had a look and the bearing came in 2 bits.the outside casing and the inside bush with the bearings.left the press fit outer case in place and just changed the inners.sweet as a nut.the out side bush was like a countersink.dont no about a gtv.good luck mate! If they are same ,slap in loads of grease.

[wayne-dear]

I can do you pass and drivers side hubs from a 1997 2.0 GTv for £50 + post, there was no advisory for rear wheel bearings when it failed the mot, shame about the floor pan looking like a Swiss cheese.....

[Alfa Seltzer]

If it is the rear bearings they are fairly easy, I changed both in less than an hour with the car up on a lift.

There are two differing types according to ABS type as the bearings come complete with hub, mine were the earlier "toothed" variety and I obtained a pair of SKF ones for £45 each from eBay.

One thing to remember is that the torque setting for the hub nuts is way above what a normal 1/2" drive torque wrench will do.

[r100gspd]

Mine was rumbling so I did both sides + new discs and pads for £150
the other potential problem is that inner race is seized to hub, then you will need to get it off by cunning means
(angle grinder (avoiding stub axle) and sharp cold chisel.
Luckily mine came off but you can see the pitting on pic. 48k only
Note also that often there is not much grease in bearing and it may be worthwhile working some extra in.
I have pics of disassembly if you need them.

[dan_griffiths]

So the one garage - Lateshift - said they would just be swapping the bearing itself.
The second garage - Ebleys - said they could only order in the entire hub.

I'm guessing this means that both are available to be changed on the car?

So the car won't make any noise until over 35 when this "sound" gets louder and louder. It is a constant sound which increases around corners/roundabouts. This made me think that it would be more the wheel bearings rather than the bush but I could be wrong.

My housemate says he's changed rear wheel bearings before on his old Corsa so said he'd give me a hand fixing them if it wasn't too difficult.

[EauRouge]

Its relatively easy to change wheel bearing on the rear, the only problem may be the inner race may be welded to stub axle, but a few ligt passes with an angle grinder and a cold chisel will remove it. There are loads of threads on this exzact subject so just key in "Rear wheel bearing" and you will get all the direction you need.

[johnnyboy71]

If its the rear wheel bearings, I can confirm that they are easy to change. Fortunately, mine were not seized and changed them on New Years day in the rain. Took about 20 mins each and spent more time moving tools out of the rain.

[attolspider]

Originally Posted by EauRouge

Its relatively easy to change wheel bearing on the rear, the only problem may be the inner race may be welded to stub axle, but a few ligt passes with an angle grinder and a cold chisel will remove it. There are loads of threads on this exzact subject so just key in "Rear wheel bearing" and you will get all the direction you need.

Or a liberal application of heat and then tackle it with the cold chisel.