Rear wheel bearings couple of questions.

[MK21800]

Thinking of replacing the rear wheel bearings in the next few weeks when I get some time, have looked into it and think it's within my abilities. Couple of questions :

1 : Gotta admit, not jacked up and supported the back before - I'm thinking axle beam? Or is there a better place you prefer?

2 : Any particular make of bearings you'd suggest? There seem to be many cheap ones on offer, I've looked at GSF and VW Heritage for example. Or does it have to be the expensive VW ones? Also, Would you suggest getting a bearing kit with grease or is it better to get bearings and grease seperately (gives choice of grease) - if seperate, any particular grease to look out for?

3 : Reason I'm looking into it is I had an advisory on the MOT - they said they were noisy, and I get squeeking turning into howling above about 40mph. Sounds like probably bearings, yes?

Er.. think that's about it for now. Think I've got the jist of the packing them and the tightness thing (just be able move the washer laterally then quarter turn) and not to overtighten etc. etc. - thanks in advance for any help

[dozzum]

Not in the middle of the axle beam though. But yeh I use the end of it to jack the back with.

I know I always seem to be plugging this site but I have always found them reasonable and they only sell stuff that's the same brand as the original or same quality.
I don't work for them honestly, if I did my car would be in a lot better shape.

http://www.vwspares.co.uk/scirocco_wheel_drive.php

And yes that sounds like bearings especially if they were advisories last year. Thats how advisories should be used, to inform you of stuff to check out before next year, not as I have seen on some cars where the garage is clearly just after more work, "creaky door" immediately springs to mind.

[Nate]

there are very few decent bearing manufacturers. if you buy them from the dealer or almost any "pattern part" from the factors, you'll probably find it's made by SKF. look at "bearings" in your yellow pages and you will find a local bearing supplier who will be able to sell you the bearing for a fraction of the price. as an example, SKF bearing in a motaquip box from the local factor for the rear of my caddy was £73 trade (retail price brings tears to your eyes!) or i can get exactly the same bearing in SKF packaging from swindon bearings for £3. same for a chrysler pt (i really get some nice stuff to work on!) £180odd from the dealer, factors unable to supply, £30 from swindon bearings

and don't forget to pack the bearing well with the correct grease. i've seen a few now that have been filled with copper grease. if you use the wrong grease it will either melt from heat, or dry out. either way, you'll be putting another new bearing in shortly after!

have a read thru the distructions in the haynes lie book. they actually explain it quite well.

and if you're like me, and enjoy buying new shiny things, try one of these http://www.amazon.co.uk/Franklin-FRANKL ... B000SDT014
you put the bearing between the 2 plastic cones and pump it full of grease with a greasegun. ensures the bearing is properly filled. look really god, but not had chance to use it yet....

[MK21800]

Cheers for the replies!

dozzum - yeah that's what I figured, at the end of the axle beam. Probably do one side at a time.

nate - thanks for the advice on the bearing make. I found some SKF ones reduced (I think about 20 quid for the bearing kit) which I'm gonna shoot for, in that case. That' seems like a pretty reasonable deal for that particular make.

I guess I'm gonna go for this job pretty soon, I may be back with a couple of questions if I get stuck (I'm estimating questions on the tightening probably).

[Nate]

Cheers for the replies!

dozzum - yeah that's what I figured, at the end of the axle beam. Probably do one side at a time.

nate - thanks for the advice on the bearing make. I found some SKF ones reduced (I think about 20 quid for the bearing kit) which I'm gonna shoot for, in that case. That' seems like a pretty reasonable deal for that particular make.

I guess I'm gonna go for this job pretty soon, I may be back with a couple of questions if I get stuck (I'm estimating questions on the tightening probably).

the last skf bearings i bought for the rocco were £6.50 per side. that was a year ago, but i very much doubt they've tripled in price! i couldn't remember the other bearing make name when i posted before, but it is timken. both good. should be greased with LM2 grease, or wheel bearing grease. they're basically the same. both are a high melting point lithium based grease. don't use copper grease! i've seen this a few times, it usually results in major wheel bearing failure, hub coming off etc

[MK21800]

the last skf bearings i bought for the rocco were £6.50 per side. that was a year ago, but i very much doubt they've tripled in price!

Was that the complete kits including both bearings, pin and cap etc. ? I've found the ones I was looking at in a couple of other places for about 23 Euro, but can't seem to find cheaper than that. If the kit is going for £6.50, I'd appreciate a pointer where to get it for that price, as I don't have much money at the moment.

What I'm looking at is SFK - VKBA 529.
http://www.mister-auto.co.uk/en/wheel-b ... A!529.html

i couldn't remember the other bearing make name when i posted before, but it is timken. both good. should be greased with LM2 grease, or wheel bearing grease. they're basically the same. both are a high melting point lithium based grease. don't use copper grease! i've seen this a few times, it usually results in major wheel bearing failure, hub coming off etc

Yeah I did some research on bearing makes and all I could find was that SFK and Timken were good, I recognise those names. What I didn't have so much joy in establishing was what the "cheaper" makes were like for example these types of things :
http://www.micksgarage.co.uk/braking-pa ... /1.8/1750/

Quinton Hazell and SKN, which seem to be quite common and a little cheaper.

I was under the impression that SFK were the original ones that are in the cars out of the factory, have I got that wrong? That was the reason that those ones got my attention...

Oh yeah and as for the grease, yeah I got my head around that, special wheel bearing grease so it actually stays intact under the high temps, right? I think I've got my head around the where and how to pack it thing as well. Haha one of the first things I read about this was about bearings just kind of disintegrating due to the wrong grease and over tightening and packing them wrong etc. gonna have to be careful with this one.

[Nate]

personally i'd avoid QH bits - not had much with them in the past, failing very early

an the other top tip (if you haven't already worked it out) buy some disposable gloves!!

[MikeH]

personally i'd avoid QH bits - not had much with them in the past, failing very early

an the other top tip (if you haven't already worked it out) buy some disposable gloves!!

What he said ^^

QH don't make bearings, they just buy them in, and put them in a box, like a lot of brands. My experiences with QH have generally been bad, and when I worked at Land Rover they were one of our worst suppliers for quality (mostly to do with water pumps and Vac pumps, but I'd avoid them anyway).

[dozzum]

£5.15 + VAT for Febi bilstein ones.

http://www.vwspares.co.uk/product_info. ... cts_id=448

The picture shows a full kit but ring to confirm.

[ianaudia4]

SKF are the OEM.

The motor factors, Andrew Page are a supplier, part number VKBA 529, and they are £5.75 each plus VAT.

Bargain!

[MK21800]

SKF are the OEM.

The motor factors, Andrew Page are a supplier, part number VKBA 529, and they are £5.75 each plus VAT.

Bargain!

Top tip. Thanks for that. Just phoned them up, and unfortunately they're out of stock, but getting them back in on the 15th, so gonna hold on. If they can't get them for me, I'm gonna go with the Febi's that dozzum has recommended. My local motor factors has comma wheel bearing grease, so all set.

Great help, as usual. Thanks!

[dozzum]

Never actually used the febi ones, but I have just bought one of there waterpumps so hoping they are as good quality as I think they should be.
My brother replaced his ignition system with stuff from the same site and has been happy so far.
The bloke who runs the shop has owned old VWs himself and seems very knowledgeable on the phone so I'm hoping he chooses his parts wisely.

[MK21800]

dozzum - I had a quick peek round a few other forums using a google search, and Febi seem to be a fairly respected make, for what it's worth.

[wasted]

I used Febi bearings on mine last MOT, and they're fine 14 months later. Had to adjust one of them (slight play), but that's just because I left it slightly too loose on fitting. For what it's worth, I also used Febi topmounts on all four corners, and they've been fine for three years thus far.

[MK21800]

I used Febi bearings on mine last MOT, and they're fine 14 months later. Had to adjust one of them (slight play), but that's just because I left it slightly too loose on fitting. For what it's worth, I also used Febi topmounts on all four corners, and they've been fine for three years thus far.

Yeah I think if I can't get the SFK ones in about a week, I'm just gonna shoot for the Febis. I have use of another car temporarily so it's not absoutey urgent, I can wait a short while for the SFK's. Just trying to prepare the thing for the MOT in the next few weeks.