I am servicing/restoring the front suspension assembly on my mk2 over the winter. I have removed the hubs but the stub axles obviously require some effort to overcome the taper fit. My question is, whilst its in this state should I put the effort in to remove them? I'm interested in what servicing is required - I believe all the bearings came off with the hub? So if they're solid and in good condition is it acceptable to leave them? I'm wary of damaging them in removal and having to buy new ones when they look good.

I am considering powder coating the stub axle carriers - I will almost certainly remove them in this case, but I'm happy for someone with experience to convince me I can leave them in for this too!

Many thanks in advance,

B

 

Have you checked the stub axles for wear on the underside ? This is where the load is applied, and over time, the bearing inner frets on the stub axle due to it's light push fit. Once you have wear there, no matter how often you try to adjust the wheel bearings, there will be play caused by this wear. I removed my very similar XJ6 stub axles with a "talking hammer", (i.e a sledge hammer !), with the axle carrier up on two large baulks of timber.