Front wheel bearing replacement

[poseidon]

Hi - another strange noise from front hub area, like a tyre edge rubbing on something, but it's not that. It quietens down at higher speed and I'm suspicious that it's front wheel bearing(s). There is some play in the bearing but not massive. Can anybody advise what level of difficulty I'm likely to find in replacing these bearings? The repair manual rarely covers the fu**face irritations that emerge when trying to dismantle drive and suspension bits in the surf. Any special tools needed? Does the brake caliper really need to come off? Can the outer bearing not just be accessed by removing the bearing cap and unscrewing the bearing nut? Does the whole hub need to be separated from the drive to get the inner bearing changed? And the manual describes all that stuff as 'minor maintainence' (eh??). At least the bearing kit is pretty inexpensive.
Any advice appreciated before I lie in the gutter again ....Keith

[Albannach]

and I'm suspicious that it's front wheel bearing(s). There is some play in the bearing but not massive.

Change it then, before it collapses.

Can anybody advise what level of difficulty I'm likely to find in replacing these bearings?

None, it's a doddle, especially if you have a manual.

Any special tools needed?

54mm (I think) box socket.

Does the brake caliper really need to come off?

Yes.

Can the outer bearing not just be accessed by removing the bearing cap and unscrewing the bearing nut?

Yes, but it would be worse than stupid to replace half of one of the bearings.

Does the whole hub need to be separated from the drive to get the inner bearing changed?

Yes.

EDIT: What bit do you think is the hub?

And the manual describes all that stuff as 'minor maintainence' (eh??).

It is. It's just long winded.

[Surfer Ross]

There's no point in looking for short-cuts. Do it right and it'll last, a half-arsed job is a temporary fix.

[poseidon]

Ok - thanks, I'm sure your right and I just need to 'shape up' lie in the gutter with the tools and tear the skin from my knuckles etc.....BUT I've kinda fallen onto my face near the start already -

The manual (such as it is, a Max Ellery book) indicates that I should expect to see a standard castellated nut and split pin on the end of the drive shaft and that will be removed to access the outer bearing. Now, I've managed a few tiny steps in the process - jacked up, wheel off, end cap removed and there's no castellated nut.... I even slackened off the ring of 6 bolts around the hub hoping to remove this outer hub or something, but nothing moves when these are out. I then sheared off the central bolt trying to tighten up the bearing which I thought might lie behind it. Fortunately, I was able to extract the broken bits and I've put the whole lot back together.

http://s1165.photobucket.com/albums/q584/astrodipodium/

this is what I'm looking at - is that some kind of free-wheeling hub and does it detach? Little faith in the manual now, so any guidance on which bits to remove and in what order will be useful. I just don't want to order bearings, dismantle the whole caboosh and then find it's not the bearings that are shot but something else in the drive train. The noise is truly loud - people 100m away turn and look. No wobbles, and little obvious play in the hub which I would have expected with that amount of rumbling and burring. Not a good day for fixing Surfs...k

[shokenore]

Have a look at the Aus site I am pretty sure there is a photo breakdown on the front hubs

[poseidon]

OK - I've spent the past hour trying to track down a photo sequence post on this forum on bearing replacement by Andy Lala, but I can't trace it. I'm keen to do this repair myself, as the last time I passed the truck to our local repair shop to fit a rear axle oil seal, I got hit for a bill of £450!! Talk about pi**ing up the customers back!...k

[poseidon]

OK - found the Aussi photo sequence, which seems to have the same hub configuration as mine (ie no castellated end nut, like the manual shows)
For anyone interested the link is http://www.toyotasurf.asn.au/techsit...ringsfront.htm
Still think it looks a bit more than 'minor maintainence' but I'll have a go if the weather ever improves here in sunny Oban....k

[NiftyNev]

If you do not know where to start and have the basic idea on how to do the bearings, then do not do it yourself. Either get another member who has done them to help or pay a mechanic. That writeup on our Aussie site is crap really, mentions nothing about proper adjustment and the guy also uses way too much grease. It's a simple job for those that know how, but it sounds like it is beyond you. Sorry but that's the way I see it.

Nev

[NiftyNev]

You could watch this series of videos. Even they ae not perfect, but may help. It covers more than just the bearings.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbpCU...feature=relmfu

Nev

[Albannach]

It's a simple job for those that know how, but it sounds like it is beyond you. Sorry but that's the way I see it.

That's what I think too, its outwith his current ability.

I didn't say because I got ####ed off with the grief I was getting, from the forum fannies, when I advised folk not to do these kind of jobs in the past.

If he thinks he can 'muddle through it', bash on - I won't help or pity when he fcuks up.

[TwoBobRob]

Wheel bearings are not a novice task in my opinion. Shame he hasn't got a mechanic buddy who could guide him through it the first time.

[Fricfrac]

Keith, without wanting to sound rude, if you have to ask the very basic questions that you have in your first post, then I would urge you to let somebody else do this job for you bud.

You need wheel bearings to be done properly. To anybody handy with spanners,it is not a big job, but if you need to ask if the brake caliper has to come off, then I think it is beyond you,sorry.

[Ambobeer]

Surely for the sake of an hours messing it's worth tightening up the bearing and see if things quieten down? Won't cost owt other than a bit of silicone on the hub when done.

The caliper doesn't need to come off to do that!!!

[Diezel Weazel]

Surely for the sake of an hours messing it's worth tightening up the bearing and see if things quieten down? Won't cost owt other than a bit of silicone on the hub when done.

The caliper doesn't need to come off to do that!!!

N if ya saying just tighten up the bearing, That's also wrong info to be giving to somebody you considered not capable of performing this task.
The least ya should be offering is how to strip it down first n inspect n if not renewing at least repack bearing with fresh grease n re-assemble ... IMHO or this may / could happen !!
http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/showthrea...+wheel+Bearing


11+ Years of Surfs ..... n faultless to a "T" is my Yota !!

[poseidon]

Hmmmm....thanks for these (conflicting) views and advice. I have done hub bearings before, just not on the Surf. I'm undecided whether to commit to the whole job myself, but I've ordered the parts kit anyway and I'll certainly try to open up the hub to see what condition it's in. If I can get the caliper clear and crack off the outer hub casing, maybe things will become clearer. If it gets too tough for me, I'll call in pro help. The noise is so bad that the trucks off the road anyway - that's the strange thing....something sounds well fecked, but there's only a little play on the hub and no wobbles or instability on the move. With that degree of noise, I'd expect several cms of play and clunking too when jacked up etc....k