Removing wheel bearings from hub

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Hello all,

I need to replace the front wheel bearings and I have got a bit stuck. I have got the hub, containing all the bearings, off the car and now I need to get the various bits out of the hub.

I've seen various posts describing how to use drifts, but I don't have any. So, what I really want to know is either what size drifts do I need to buy or what tips and tricks do people have for getting the job done without using drifts?

Hope you can help. Have fun,

Mikey.

[MarkyB]

A drift is nothing special, just a chunk of metal that will get the job done.
I've used (abused) all sorts of things including sockets and screwdrivers as drifts.
There isn't much on a Minor that needs a lot of force, but apply force all the way round, or to one side, then the other to get bearings out.

[mike.perry]

Use a bar that will go through the centre of the rear bearing but too large to go through the front bearing and tap the front bearing out. Use a larger bar to tap the rear bearing out.
A 1/2 in drive socket extension bar makes a good drift for some bearings

[bmcecosse]

Ideally it should be a length of brass rod - to save damaging anything!

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Thanks for the replies. I was beginning to think that a drift was magical tool that had to be the perfect size for the moggie.

I can see that tomorrow will be spent trying sockets and other various bits on metal that I might be able to find.

Have fun,

Mikey.

[BitMoreBlurred]

Thanks again for the advice, managed to remove the bearings using/abusing a few sockets.

Before I put it back together again I want to make really sure that I'm putting everything back together correctly.

Presumably I have to construct the bearing inside the hub rather than on the stub axle? I am also assuming that I cover each bearing in grease before I put it in? How can I make sure that the bearings go in the right way round? Does the writing on each bearing always go closest to the spacer? Do I have to use a hammer to get the bearings in just like I had to use a hammer to get them out?

Hope you can help, have fun,

Mikey.

[BitMoreBlurred]

You can ignore the previous post, the job is done, with a little help from my friends.

However, I notice that if I grab the wheel at opposite sides (for example nine o'clock and three o'clock) and try to "tilt" the wheel, I can still feel play. Is this normal? If not, then what else could be wrong?

Hope you can help, have fun,

Mikey.

[bmcecosse]

You should NOT be able to 'tilt' the wheel - 9/3 suggests wear/play in the track rod end or indeed the track rod inner joint. Is there NO 'tilt' if you grab it at 12/6 ??

[mike.perry]

"I was beginning to think that a drift was magical tool that had to be the perfect size for the moggie."

A drift is anything lying around in the garage or tool box which can be hit with a hammer to get the job done.

[BitMoreBlurred]

You should NOT be able to 'tilt' the wheel - 9/3 suggests wear/play in the track rod end or indeed the track rod inner joint. Is there NO 'tilt' if you grab it at 12/6 ??

I believe that I can tilt the wheel wherever I grab it. Actually, I was also aware that after I refitted the hub, using the torque wrench, that there was a little in/out play in the hub which surprised me. Could that mean that the hub or the stub axle is worn?

Have fun,

Mikey.

[bmcecosse]

It's certainly not correct - are you sure the bearings are fitted correctly - right way round ? They should be opposing each other in 'thrust' and there should be NO 'in-out' movement. I suggest you don't drive the car until this is checked out - otherwise it's possible to lose a wheel!

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I am sure that the bearings are in the right way round.

I am happy that they are the right way round and I also fitted them with a neighbour who is an experienced mechanic who used to service moggies in a main dealer. He has personal experience of what happens when the bearings are fitted wrongly through the actions of his work mate.

Any other theories would be greatly appreciated.

Have fun,

Mikey.

[charlie_morris_minor]

have you torqued them up correctly?

might be worth a quick check even if you did them correctly in case they have come lose.. also investigate why they came lose..

[bmcecosse]

Well -whatever he has done - it's NOT correct to have any 'in-out' movement in the hub! Take it apart and check.

[simmitc]

I presume that we are talking about standard Minor hubs and bearings, not modified disks or something similar?

[BitMoreBlurred]

Correct - all standard stuff, no mods.

Looks like I've got more work to do this weekend.

Have fun,

Mikey

[chickenjohn]

As for drifts, the tools on the left hand side of this image are drifts:-

[les]

Definately no 'in/out' movement, side play is usually caused by the centre spacer between the bearings being too long. This has been a problem with some kits. It's worth checking for wear on the hub faces that the outer races butt up to, in case the old bearings were 'spinning' this would have the effect of bringing the outer races closer together, whilst the inner races remain unchanged.( the equivelent effect of a longer spacer).

[BitMoreBlurred]

...side play is usually caused by the centre spacer between the bearings being too long. This has been a problem with some kits.

My kit did not contain a centre spacer and so I reused the old one.

It's worth checking for wear on the hub faces that the outer races butt up to, in case the old bearings were 'spinning' this would have the effect of bringing the outer races closer together, whilst the inner races remain unchanged.

I wonder whether that is the problem. The reason why I suspected that the bearings were worn in the first place was because I could feel "play" when I grasped the wheel at opposite sides and tried to waggle it. Then I replaced the bearing and the problem still exists. I think that the old bearings had not done many miles, maybe 10,000 - 15,000 (but I would have to check back through my paperwork to be sure) and I thought bearings live for a very long time. In fact, now I come to think of it, I think that the reason why I changed the bearings the previous time was because I could feel play in the wheel when I waggled it.

Not sure if I would be able to see the wear on the hub faces that act as a stop for the bearing outer races as it would only have to be very small to cause the problem. Ho hum.

Have fun,

Mikey

[mike.perry]

Is the problem on both sides?
If only on one side then check the length of the spacer on the other side.