ALC 68A
Donation Time
On the way back from the UK club national meeting, my Series 3 developed a metallic squeak from the front left wheel. I assumed it was the bearing running dry of grease, but when I took the disc pads out and span the wheel as fast as I could by hand, there was no squeak. Even with the pads back in, there was only the sound of the pads rubbing on the disc, yet when I drove the car the squeak was back, although not as loud.
The hub bearings were changed when my local garage converted the car from steel to wire wheels some years ago, but the car has been off the road for most of the time in between. The car has just been professionally restored, including replacing the incorrect Series IV/V front cross member with a rebuilt correct Series 3 one, with the hubs swapped over. However, I don't think the restorer replaced the bearings then, so should they have been?
I'm hoping not to have to change them, as I've looked at the job in the workshop manual and it doesn't look particularly simple, especially as the access to the hub nut inside the wire wheel hub is restricted. Does anyone have any tips or suggestions as to the cause of the squeak and/or the job of replacing the bearings (if necessary) please? Removing and replacing the bearing races looks the tricky bit. The manual refers to driving them out and in using "a suitable drift". What's that? I've seen TV programs where they use a hydraulic press, which of course I don't have, so is changing the bearings doable at home?
Many thanks
The hub bearings were changed when my local garage converted the car from steel to wire wheels some years ago, but the car has been off the road for most of the time in between. The car has just been professionally restored, including replacing the incorrect Series IV/V front cross member with a rebuilt correct Series 3 one, with the hubs swapped over. However, I don't think the restorer replaced the bearings then, so should they have been?
I'm hoping not to have to change them, as I've looked at the job in the workshop manual and it doesn't look particularly simple, especially as the access to the hub nut inside the wire wheel hub is restricted. Does anyone have any tips or suggestions as to the cause of the squeak and/or the job of replacing the bearings (if necessary) please? Removing and replacing the bearing races looks the tricky bit. The manual refers to driving them out and in using "a suitable drift". What's that? I've seen TV programs where they use a hydraulic press, which of course I don't have, so is changing the bearings doable at home?
Many thanks