Hub Problem

[bradg]

when i lock the hub to 4x4 and start to move forward i get a sqeeling type nosie when i unlock the hub it stops any ideas what this problem would be.

regards BradG

[geeves]

Its the bearing in the back of the hub assembly. Dont leave it as the associated seal will let water into the wheel bearings. (I know it cost me 3 sets of bearings one set lasting 3 months).
Its the same bearing and seal on all 88 and later mus wizards, jackeroos and rodeos.
To change it you have to take the hub assembly off (its easier to remove the wheel bearings first but not essential. You might as well repack them at the same time.) The seal is just levered off the back then with a long drift placed in the front of the hole thru the hub assembly drive the bearing out the back. Drive the new bearing into the back of the hub useing a suitable sized socket to keep the bearing square then reassemble everything. There is also a thrust washer in here On mine it was very worn and had to be replaced

[bradg]

thanks for that but i think it's out of my league

[geeves]

When I did min it was NZ $80 in parts not counting a wheel bearing and I let a mechanic do my first one which cot 1.5 hours labour so not too bad to trust to your favorite mechanic

[James W]

Just as Geeves says, but I'll add, be wary driving in the small roller, do use a socket just as geeves says but it's a very gentle driff. Usually drifting in a bearing will give you a different sounding 'ping' telling you when it's fully home. However the small rollers are very light and i've bent the pressed sheet metal carier before drifting it in. This causes it to bind and jam. Measure before fitting so you can tell that way when it's home.

[mulover]

Use nylon if you have it, i had a bit lying around here left over from doing a body lift so i spun it up to suit the size and it works really well, am going to do this for all the bearings, as it doesn't mark the shells and is better for your socket set. If any one wants one of these made up then let me know and i'll spin it up, might be $15 worth plus frieght

[bradg]

thanks for the input, i have got the lads at a local 4x4 place on the job they quoted me $440 for wheel bearings and seals in the hub, not sure if this is a good price but it needs to be fixed.

[geeves]

If thats both sides then around 250 in parts and 4 hours.This would give $50 an hour which is fairly average. Half this for one side then its expensive

[James W]

Well it is very expensive if you don't need to do them? Why do you need the wheel bearings done? Has the problem been diagnosed? This was about possibly hub problems but the $440 fix job isn't doing anything to the hubs?

Did I miss something?

[bradg]

No you didn't miss anything this is what the "professionals" say the problem is i just have to wait till later on today when i pick it up. They were pulling the it apart when i left and the bloke said he would call if there was anything out of the ordinary.

[James W]

Hmmm, well being "professionals" means their motivation is differant from yours and mine.... in otherwords $$$$$

Be sure to ask for the old bearings or at least sight them.

[bradg]

well the wheel bearings were rooted in turn letting water into the passenger side hub total cost of repair ended up being $380.

[Harry]

If there was water in the bearings it may have got in via the rear hub seal and needle rollers.Make sure they at least checked them or you'll end up right where you started.
Harry.

[bradg]

they rebuilt both the hubs for me and said there should be no more problems. so fingers crossed.

[James W]

Yes, but as Harry says the wheel bearings do not cause water to get in, the seals do. Unless they replaced the seals and the little needle roller bearing you will soon be back to where you started. I'm a little concerned here that you have been feed some BS. Did these so called rooted wheel bearings make a whinning noise when driving down the road? Did you sight them? Where they rusty or wet? Thats the definition of rooted.
Do you know those wheel bearings are adjustable? So if they were loose they could have been adjusted.

[geeves]

It might be an idea to post the parts list from this repair to save confusion. The seal in question is only available from Holden and the little hub bearing is the same price as elsewhere but wheel bearing kits are best bought from your favorite bearing shop.