rear bearings - slight play?

[dudload]

hi all,

off for a fairly long (100mile) drive in the traveller tomorrow and have noticed recently that there's a slight rumble from the back when going over 20mph. the other day i removed the half shafts to check the bearings and there's a bit of play on the offside. however, when the wheels are back on there's zero play when trying to rock the tyre.

is this ok, or should i replace the bearing (i have spares and the right socket for the nut) before heading off?

[philthehill]

It is to be expected that there will be play in the rear wheel bearings with the wheel removed as the wheel nuts clamp the bearing into the hub.
A rumble is a different matter and if the rumble is still there with the half-shaft removed I would suggest that it is time to replace the wheel bearing.
Try and get an original bearing and not a C3 clearance bearing though BL/Unipart supplied C3 clearance wheel bearings towards the end.

The numbers on the original rear hub wheel bearing are:-

Outer race................. 40 - M97.

Inner race...................40 -N97.................35L

Bearing maker R & M.

[dudload]

thanks Phil - makes me feel a bit better! there wasn't too much of a rumble/if any when i had the half shaft removed, but was concerned with the play.

now off to rethink what could be causing the rumble. maybe it's the beginning of some overrun noise from the diff. not sure what sort of life it had before i took over ownership...