front wheel bearing replacement

Hi, I have a 1998 Nissan Terrano II 2.7 turbo diesel with nearly 200,000 kilometres (Aust Nissan- not grey import) I would like to replace the front wheel bearings. Any information on how to get this job done will be much appreciated.
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Reply By: The Bantam - Saturday, Nov 05, 2011 at 11:40

Saturday, Nov 05, 2011 at 11:40
UM why would you like to replace the front wheel bearings?

In most vehicles if the front bearings are not damaged and are properly maintained they will happily last the life of the vehicle.

You should definitely check and service your front wheel bearings and maybe the whole front hub.

In a 2 wd or a trailer serviceing bearings is very simple and straight forward, and service manual will give you the procedure in detail.

you basicaly, remove the wheel, the brake caliper, the dust cap and dismantle and clean the bearings and hubs..inspect the bearings, repack and reassemble.
The bearing preload/ clearence has to be adjusted, and all back together.

In a 4wd....its a bit more involved, you have to remove and dismantle the freewheeling hubs if they are fitted..(that can be a bit fiddly), and everything is much bigger.
In addition there are shafts, seals and bearings that drive the front wheels and thay also from time to time need servicing, maybe not as frequently as the main bearings.

In 4wds one must be sure to apply enough tension when adjusting the bearings....many people fail to realise how tight they should be..there is usually a "procedure" involving torque specifications.

If you don't have a service manual, its about time you baught one..it will reveal many things.

cheers
AnswerID: 469252

Follow Up By: 46 - Saturday, Nov 05, 2011 at 13:13

Saturday, Nov 05, 2011 at 13:13
I am intending to use my vehicle towing camper van and for touring from next year and it has nearly done 200,000 k's. Wheel bearings last serviced at 80,000 k service. I am having the rear bearings and seals done by 4x4 specialist Trans. Gears and Diffs in Melbourne next monday at an estimated $700. This is being done because this week my diff housing started to loose oil behind the driver's side rear wheel. I want to change out front bearings too (And have the hub serviced too I guess) but did not have a spare $700 for this front drive axle.
I will download a manual but was hoping someone who know's would tell me if it is too hard to DIY or if it is doable with somewhat limited mechanical knowledge but with access to an average amount of tools and a willingness to learn.
Cheers.
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FollowupID: 743641

Follow Up By: The Bantam - Saturday, Nov 05, 2011 at 13:56

Saturday, Nov 05, 2011 at 13:56
Front and rear wheel bearings are two completely different types of bearings.

rear wheel bearings are mostly fixed and unservicable bearings....still not sure why you woud replace rear wheel bearings if it was only a matter of replacing the seals....unless upon inspection the bearings were sus.........but yeah some would replace the bearings while the axles where out.

front bearings are easily accessed for inspection and servicing your own front wheel bearings is realy no biggie.
In addition front wheel bearings in 4WDs tend to be very large, as the stub axles have to be bigger to allow the drive components to pass thru.

My hilux has over 300 000 on the clock, I recently serviced the bearings and hubs and there was absolutly no sign of wear or damage.

Cost.....a days work and about $10 for gasgets and about half a pot of grease, some solvent ( petrol) and some clean rag....I pulled the whole front hub assemblies apart ( IFS)

In over 30 years of owning high mileage used cars I have never had a front wheel bearing failure.....had some rears fail and go noisy...but never a front.

Big brother had some ongoing issues with front bearings in his MQ partoll, but that truck was alwaus heavily loaded and worked realy hard and now has over 850 000 on it.

cheers
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FollowupID: 743647

Follow Up By: peter m26 - Monday, Nov 07, 2011 at 20:01

Monday, Nov 07, 2011 at 20:01
46
mate i did my mates old patrol on the weekend , the bearing kits cost me $45
are side , who ever you are going to $700 is are RIP OFF
cheers peter
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FollowupID: 743839

Reply By: 46 - Saturday, Nov 05, 2011 at 14:37

Saturday, Nov 05, 2011 at 14:37
Well thankyou for the input. Maybe I will inspect and regrease instead of replace bearings providing it passes the testing of jacking it off the ground and grabbing hold of it to test for to and fro movement and then rotation. Maybe an inspection, possible retension of bearings and a grease will take care of my concerns. Regards and thanks,
AnswerID: 469269

Follow Up By: GimmeeIsolation - Saturday, Nov 05, 2011 at 18:39

Saturday, Nov 05, 2011 at 18:39
Go to the library and borrow a manual if you will not buy a $25 odd dollar manual or find one in a second hand shop.
If the bearings are not tightened to the correct tension, over or under, you can cause big dramas that Murphy says will cause a bigger problem in the worst place possible at the worst time.
If you buy a manual it will pay for itself by doing the routine simple maintenance jobs yourself if you have some mechanical skills.
I think from what you say that you need to have a read of a proper manual to save yourself some grey hair and lighter pockets.
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FollowupID: 743685

Follow Up By: nick - Saturday, Nov 05, 2011 at 19:04

Saturday, Nov 05, 2011 at 19:04
If your going to use your vehicle for touring, replace your front bearings, then if the old ones are ok, clean them up, re-grease them and put them in a sealed plastic bag for spares. You just never know when you may need them on the road.
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FollowupID: 743691

Follow Up By: 46 - Sunday, Nov 06, 2011 at 05:48

Sunday, Nov 06, 2011 at 05:48
Thanks guys, a manual for this vehicle is usually the issue. They are like hen's teeth.
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FollowupID: 743708

Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Sunday, Nov 06, 2011 at 08:19

Sunday, Nov 06, 2011 at 08:19
Just been googling.
Maybe this manual I found on the net covers your Terrano:
http://bebrs.pie-dabas.net/Webs/Terrano/R20/fa.pdf

Might be others here:
http://www.filestube.com/n/nissan+service+manual+terrano
AnswerID: 469308

Follow Up By: 46 - Sunday, Nov 06, 2011 at 09:02

Sunday, Nov 06, 2011 at 09:02
Wow. Thanks. I just had a look at the removal and replacement of front bearings/hubs. It is out of my league for proper replacement and service. I guess I will have to pay out for works next year instead of tackling job myself.
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FollowupID: 743714

Follow Up By: 46 - Sunday, Nov 06, 2011 at 09:16

Sunday, Nov 06, 2011 at 09:16
I have downloaded the manual for future works/. Thanks for it as I have difficult time finding anything on a pc yet alone stuff re my (reasonably rare) vehicle.
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FollowupID: 743715

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