Front O/S wheel bearing

219 Views 14 Replies 7 Participants Last post by caprixpack, 3 d ago

Pulchripes

Discussion Starter · 7 d ago

The time has really come to change the front wheel bearing on my mk2 57 plate. Thinking either buy a new one, whipping off the knuckle and take it somewhere to press it into the hub or just get a second hand hub, I know the condition of the bearing in the second hand one will be unknown though, I need either one pretty quick as I need to make a long trip next week and I don't like the hum it makes over 60mph. If I get a new one or even second hand hub, where is a good place that has quick delivery or is in northest Scotland? Heard you need to put bearing retainer fluid in the hub before pressing in the new one?
If I decide to go second hand, I'm seeing multiple ball joint sizes from 18mm to 21mm and can find nothing that really let's me know how to check what mine has.

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teflonbilly

· #2 · 7 d ago

If your car is a 57 plate then almost certainly the balljoint taper will be 21mm.

The wheel bearings on these cars cannot easily be fitted with a press and need a specialised tool.

Reactions: 1

Pulchripes

Discussion Starter · #3 · 7 d ago

Thanks, so the hub swap is definitely the easiest option then?

Reactions: 1

teflonbilly

· #4 · 7 d ago

Pulchripes said:
Thanks, so the hub swap is definitely the easiest option then?

If you are in a pinch and reasonably certain the new hub/bearing is good then yes that's what I would be doing.

Don't sell or scrap your old assembly because you can get the bearing replaced on that and change it over again without taking the car off the road.

Reactions: 1

Dabhand16

· #5 · 6 d ago

Pulchripes said:
Thanks, so the hub swap is definitely the easiest option then?

Yep . From Ford the bearings come in the hub. Don't think that you will get a Ford one on its own. Got mine from Andyand Kirsty on here

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sttwoton

· #6 · 6 d ago

No special tools necessary, just a good hydraulic press, some large sockets and some good circlip pliers, just hope the second hand unit is better than your existing one.

Sean B

· #7 · 6 d ago

sttwoton said:
No special tools necessary, just a good hydraulic press, some large sockets and some good circlip pliers, just hope the second hand unit is better than your existing one.

For the average driveway mechanic a hydraulic press IS a special tool

Reactions: 2

Andy and Kirsty

· #8 · 6 d ago

sttwoton said:
No special tools necessary, just a good hydraulic press, some large sockets and some good circlip pliers, just hope the second hand unit is better than your existing one.

You do need a special tool as the hub can easily be pushed into the bearing without it.

Reactions: 2

teflonbilly

· #9 · 6 d ago

sttwoton said:
No special tools necessary, just a good hydraulic press, some large sockets and some good circlip pliers, just hope the second hand unit is better than your existing one.

I don't think it's impossible to replace a Gen 2 bearing with a hydraulic press, but it needs to be done exactly in the right place otherwise the bearing will be shot from the start. Much easier with the tool, and even though they are expensive I still think they are cheaper than a decent quality press.

Reactions: 1

Andy and Kirsty

· #10 · 6 d ago

teflonbilly said:
I don't think it's impossible to replace a Gen 2 bearing with a hydraulic press, but it needs to be done exactly in the right place otherwise the bearing will be shot from the start. Much easier with the tool, and even though they are expensive I still think they are cheaper than a decent quality press.

Without the tool you will still need to support between the hub and the outer part of the bearing otherwise you end up with the hub pushed into the bearing.

teflonbilly

· #11 · 6 d ago

Andy and Kirsty said:
Without the tool you will still need to support between the hub and the outer part of the bearing otherwise you end up with the hub pushed into the bearing.

I remember doing a lot of research when I got both my front bearings done a year or so back, the tool was about £250 but my local garage had it already and agreed to do both much cheaper than that so it was a no brainer even though I do almost all mechanical work myself

Reactions: 1

sttwoton

· #12 · 5 d ago

Luckily I have the use of a 60ton press and several bearings press tools, but nothing the Ford specific, is what I was getting at.

Andy and Kirsty

· #13 · 5 d ago

sttwoton said:
Luckily I have the use of a 60ton press and several bearings press tools, but nothing the Ford specific, is what I was getting at.

Would have been better if you had actually said that rather than making it sound like you only needed a press.

Reactions: 3

sttwoton

· #14 · 4 d ago

Err I did. 😆

caprixpack

· #15 · 3 d ago

I have said special tool, as well as a 20t press both have been worth the money.

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