wheel bearings and water

Submitted: Friday, Mar 26, 2004 at 09:23
ThreadID: 11565 Views:1715 Replies:3 FollowUps:5
This Thread has been Archived
Got my 2 front wheel bearings done early Jan before a trip to Straddie. On the last day we washed the vehicles in some fresh water - bad mistake apparently. Had the 80 series in yesterday to replace the rear uni joint and I asked them to check the brakes as they were a little spongy. I got a call saying the wheel bearings were stuffed - water, they are only 2 months old. I knew hot diffs sucked in water, thats why I have diff breathers, but I have never heard of wheel bearings being a problem. There goes another $400+!!!! (they are very good mechanics though)
Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: Well 55 - Friday, Mar 26, 2004 at 11:10

Friday, Mar 26, 2004 at 11:10
I would check to see if paper gaskets were used when the re-pack was done.

Have found that water will seep through the gaskets, to stop this, use a easy to remove gasket goo instead of the paper ones.
AnswerID: 52036

Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Friday, Mar 26, 2004 at 11:13

Friday, Mar 26, 2004 at 11:13
Something doesnt sound right there.

I would ask for the old bearings back, Ive done dozens of water crossings before repacking once, and the bearings were fine...
AnswerID: 52037

Follow Up By: cokeaddict - Friday, Mar 26, 2004 at 13:04

Friday, Mar 26, 2004 at 13:04
I agree truckster,
Just cant imagine that happening in such a short time.
0
FollowupID: 313851

Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Friday, Mar 26, 2004 at 13:19

Friday, Mar 26, 2004 at 13:19
Yea, unless they were faulty when he got them. Ive seen new sparkplugs that were fubar...

I got a set of rings for my TZ once, that must of had a hairline crack in them, so when spread to get over piston they broke in 1/2!!!
0
FollowupID: 313854

Follow Up By: Janset - Saturday, Mar 27, 2004 at 03:41

Saturday, Mar 27, 2004 at 03:41
A sure way to cause premature bearing failure is to over tightening them. Is it possible that whoever last serviced them may have done just that?

Regards
0
FollowupID: 313993

Reply By: chrisfrd - Friday, Mar 26, 2004 at 15:00

Friday, Mar 26, 2004 at 15:00
DING DING DING DING DING!!!!

That's the sound of a really large "RIP OFF" bell ringing!

There isn't any space of water to be sucked-up into within the bearing housing!

It's pressurised by the heating and cooling of grease inside the bearing enclosure. I'd be asking for the bearings back to make an independent judgement. I've had the bearings in my GU 2001 model out only once in 3 years for a strip/regrease.

That was only due to the book saying that they had to be done. They were perfectly ok too. Not a cracker wrong with them.
AnswerID: 52055

Follow Up By: Wayne (NSW) - Friday, Mar 26, 2004 at 15:39

Friday, Mar 26, 2004 at 15:39
Chrisfrd,
I have only just come back from a test drive after doing, CV's disc rotors and pads, and wheel bearings.
The water does get in. There is a dust cap on the end of the drive plate which is only pressed on. The drive plate, bolted on with 6 bolts and tapered cones, has only a paper casket. The hub it-self can get hot from the brakes and the bearings, when they cool they will suck in air/water. The diff is sealed from the hub/bearings by a axel seal on the diff side of the swivel hub. The diff breathers do not effect the diff housing this far out.
One of the bearings had signs of water in it ,so I replaced both sides withy new bearings and seals.($71.28 for 2 wheel bearing kits with seals).
CVs had not been done for a while and the disc rotors look a bit second hand so a full day was spent on the front end.
Eric from Cape York Connections was telling me at the Sydney 4WD Show that he does the wheel bearings every year,the same as I do.
The maintiance schedule says to do the bearings every 100,000km. That is fine if you just run around the city streets, but start doing river crossings and drive on rough roads than every time rego rolls around or the brakes feel a bit spongy change the wheel bearings.

Wayne
0
FollowupID: 313868

Follow Up By: Member -Bob & Lex (Sydney) - Friday, Mar 26, 2004 at 16:59

Friday, Mar 26, 2004 at 16:59
See it's a Yota.
0
FollowupID: 313900

Sponsored Links