Wheel bearing replacement? Leicestershire

steve@cromford

A2OC Donor
Hi
I have been experiencing shuddering from the front wheels under breaking, and if feels like warped discs. However, front discs and pads were replaced last November (pagid parts)
Reading threads over the weekend i note that wheel bearings could be the problem.
Coincidentally there is a now a droning sound at around 40 mph+ which would seem to be from the bearings.

Can anyone recommend a garage in Leicestershire that has the necessary tools and skills. I understand a specialist tool is required.

Thanks
Steve M
 
Can't help you with a garage recommendation, but check your lower wishbone bushes too as that's been a cause for wheel shuddering under braking for me previously.
 
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suggest doing a slight slalom when it is safe to do so and lissen if the droning noise reduces when going either left or right - if it does then it does sound like a wheel bearing, if the noise is constant then less likely to be the wheel bearing
 
Please get it checked ASAP, the front wheel bearings, if not fitted correctly can edge themselves out of position, especially if fitted by someone that does not have the correct tool for that specific job.

The juddering when braking is more likely to be the discs warped again (it does happen, especially if the wheel bearings are badly worn)

The droning noise at 40 is not the normal wheel bearing noise unless they are severely worn, so please do take care and get the front bearings checked straight away.

Also get the rears checked at the same time (it is an easy check) I had the front wheel bearings replaced on an A2 and the noise was coming from the rear wheel bearing (it just sounded like it was the front one to me)

Steve B
 
Thanks
Getting it booked in today.
Steve M

Hi Steve,

Make sure you book it in with someone who has the tool. All garages will say they can do the job because they honestly believe they can. But unless they have the special tool, they can't do it properly.
Ask to see the tool. If they show you a bench press or a big hammer, walk away.

I'm writing this on my phone, but will upload a photo of the tool later today once I'm sat at a proper computer.

Cheers,

Tom
 
I know I once posted a fair bit of information about the wheel bearing tool and how it works and have had a good search for it. It's just occurred to me that it was all posted in one of Steve Birchall's car adverts (the car needed a replacement front bearing, hence the topic was raised). I believe that 'For Sale' threads are either removed after a while or expire after a set amount of time or something, as I can't find it anywhere.

I did, however, find this short explanation in another thread...

Have you paid the garage to fit the new bearing and are they using the proper tool rather than just pushing it into the knuckle using a press? If they've providing a paid-for service and have broken your new bearing, they really ought to be buying a replacement.

Due to the A2's wheel hub and bearing being integrated, the face of the hub (with the 5 tapped wheel bolt holes) is obviously part of the inner race of the bearing (it's the bit that spins!). The whole assembly ought to be inserted into the knuckle by exerting force on the outer race of the bearing, but the outer race is inaccessible to a simple press. The dedicated tool is able to brace the back of the knuckle and wrap around the outer race such that force is only applied where it ought to be. This ensures that the bearing is pushed all the way home and that the retaining ring does its job properly. If the retaining ring fails to engage, the bearing can start to walk back out of the knuckle, which could eventually have very serious consequences, not least ABS errors and warped brake discs. I certainly wouldn't be using the old retaining ring, no matter its condition.

Cheers,

Tom

Tom
 
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Here is a photo of the tool in its box:
A2 Bearing Tool.jpg

Here are two photos of my tool in 'extraction mode'. The tool is able to extract an old bearing and seat a new bearing, all without exerting any force on the inner race (unlike a press, which exterts all its force on the inner race, potentially ruining the bearing before it's even completed one rotation!). The tool is also able to engage the retention ring, meaning the bearing cannot start to 'walk' back out of the knuckle.
Never allow your front wheel bearings to be changed without the use of this tool. Unfortnately, it's just one of the occasional inconveniences of owning a very special car.

Removal 1.jpg

Removal 2.jpg

Plenty of garages say they can do wheel bearing repacements without this special tool. That's because it is possible to change the wheel bearings on a vast majority of cars simply by using a press. This does not apply to the A2. Do not believe them, no matter how convinced they sound.

Cheers,

Tom
 
Thanks
Getting it booked in today.
Steve M

Hi Steve,

WOM Automotive aren't that far from you. They're near Uttoxeter, so just up the A50 from you.
I know they're busy at the moment and might not be able to book you in immediately, but for a job like this, it's worth having it done properly.

Cheers,

Tom
 
Thanks for the advice.
I have booked the car into Lion Garage (Leics VAG specialists) on a recommendation from a colleague.
As soon as I mentioned wheel bearing, they mentioned the "special tool".
I think they know what they are doing!
regards
Steve M
 
Thanks for the advice.
I have booked the car into Lion Garage (Leics VAG specialists) on a recommendation from a colleague.
As soon as I mentioned wheel bearing, they mentioned the "special tool".
I think they know what they are doing!
regards
Steve M

If they mentioned the special tool without even being prompted, then that is definitely good news! :)

Cheers,

Tom
 
Just to 'second' Tom's comments, with this type of hub assembly it's not possible to install the bearing unit using a press as the massive force exerted by the press works directly on the bearing races. As a result the balls (or rollers) can actually indent the races, leading to early failure. (Sometimes called 'Brinelling')
The special tool redirects the assembly loading to the outer race only, alleviating the assembly problem.
It is however possible to use the special tool in combination with a press on 'stubborn' applications if the hub assembly is removed from the car.

Cheers Spike
 
''Isn't it easier to just buy the hubs with the bearing already in.''

Yes, the bearings only come as part of the hub assemblies shown in your pics - and that's the reason the special tool is needed. There is no way you can use a press in the traditional manner without damaging the bearings.

Cheers Spike
 
Just picked up the car. It was the nearside front bearing. Shuddering and whining gone!
Thanks for all your advice.
Regards
Steve M
 
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