Front Wheel Bearing Replacement

perksy

Member
Hi there.

I've just installed two new front wheel bearings and I need to torque the axle/driveshaft-to-hub nuts. This is the big 36mm bi-hex nut.

Does anyone know (or have any means of finding) the torque settings for this nut?

Many thanks
James
 
Driveshaft nut torque is 120 Nm

How did you manage to replace the bearings - are you lucky enough to have access to the special installation tool

Cheers Spike
 
Many thanks Spike.

Replacing the bearings was actually a doddle. They can even be done with the hubs in situ. I rented the tool off a chap on ebay for £35 for 7 days http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321123362500?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

This video is also invaluable http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtU4koy-iUc

or try this alternative - https://youtu.be/4cpoU90ESq0

I would say it is completely impossible the do the job properly without this tool to properly seat the retaining clips. Shame my local garage (and also a VW AUDI specialist near me) didn't have the tool!

This is definitely an easy DIY job with the right tool.

James
 
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Thats great to know. I remember having to leave our A2 at the dealers for two days as they struggled to get the nsf one out.
Jonathan
 
Thats just silly. The right tool (not necessarily the dealer one I add) makes it stupidly simple - anyone could do both sides on their driveway in half a day (as I did). And I'm no master mechainc!

James
 
Thankfully it was under warranty at the time but they did say it was difficult because it had welded itself in!
Jonathan
 
Just a quick thanks to the folks who contrib. to this tread. I'm now more than confident I can do the job, looking forward to it in fact.

Cheers
 
Just to confirm, the front driveshaft / axle retaining nut (36mm BiHex) is the same tightening torque as a wheel bolt!? I read that the rear one was 70nm + 30deg ... Is the front 120Nm + an angle or just plain 120Nm? It just seems a bit low to me that's all.
 
I actually bought a tool for around 100£ on eBay when I did my left front bearing. The tool is invaluable when doing this repair. Tool plus bearing was cheaper than letting someone else do it.
I'll check the torques tomorrow morning and post again.
Be careful not to break the abs sensor when doing this job.

If someone wants to borrow the tool, drop me a pm. It's in Göteborg, Sweden.
 
Just to confirm, the front driveshaft / axle retaining nut (36mm BiHex) is the same tightening torque as a wheel bolt!? I read that the rear one was 70nm + 30deg ... Is the front 120Nm + an angle or just plain 120Nm? It just seems a bit low to me that's all.

Front wheel hub nut is 120Nm - no further angular setting is required.
Rear hub nut is 70Nm plus 30 degrees angular setting.

In BOTH instances a NEW nut must be used. Be aware that Audi changed the design of the front hub nut during production.

blue skies
tony
 
Wee question for the more experienced. I've a percussive 'thrum' noise from the front offside that started shortly before the 800 mile round journey to A2 cars open day. To my ear it's getting slightly more pronounced. It continues to be there with the clutch depressed.

I'm thinking wheel bearing. Any other possibilities before I send Ada to the surgery?
 
I usually do a little slalom to listen for front bearings. Get up to speed, about 50 mph. Despress the clutch pedal and then do some pretty hard slalom. You'll hear if the noise changes. If it's stronger when you are going left, it's the right bearing and vice versa.
 
I usually do a little slalom to listen for front bearings. Get up to speed, about 50 mph. Despress the clutch pedal and then do some pretty hard slalom. You'll hear if the noise changes. If it's stronger when you are going left, it's the right bearing and vice versa.

hi Gus,
can you please confirm that when turning slightly left the noise increases that it is the right hand wheel bearing that need replacing.
the reason I ask is the noise sounds to be coming from the left hand side, but I appreciate that noise can travel and deceive the ears

cheers
Paul (depronman)
 
hi Gus,
can you please confirm that when turning slightly left the noise increases that it is the right hand wheel bearing that need replacing.
the reason I ask is the noise sounds to be coming from the left hand side, but I appreciate that noise can travel and deceive the ears

cheers
Paul (depronman)
Yeah, when you turn left, and the sound increases, it's your right hand bearing. Worn bearings usually sound more when they have a larger load. The outer wheels in a turn will always have a larger load.

I can't tell for sure on your car, without being in it when you drive. Remember, bearings isn't the only thing that wears out, CV joints can do that too.
 
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