I would like to hear from anyone as to how long before the front wheel bearings need to be changed. And what warning will one have before serious damage happens.

Thanks guys

 

If kept lubed and adjusted they'll probably still be in perfectly good shape when the car is sent to the scrapyard. Unfortunately, routine cleaning and repacking of wheel bearings is an oft-neglected service. I can't tell you how many cars I've seen with dry bearings

Typically a failing front wheel bearing will give a rumble noise.

After removing the bearing wipe it with a dark cloth. Any tiny metallic bits? If so, there's no doubt the bearing is shot. An feel for any roughness in the rollers. Should be smooth as a baby's bottom.

Sometimes the stub axle becomes worn if the bearings are worn or failing.....check for a lip or groove on the underside.

Cheers
DD

 

Hi Doug
I can tell you about two days of frustration trying to replace the grease seal part of the exercise. Its a horrible job and you need to make a tool to do it ( in my experience ). The rest of the job, being drifting out the bearing cups and pressing same in is easy. I always replace wheel bearings and seals as part of buying an "older" car. cheers charlie

 

Thanks guys. Any recommendations as to brand and supplier?

 

Been there, done that! Misery.

I learned to just reuse the old seal. Goes against everything I was taught but saves tons of aggravation


Cheers
DD

 

Jaguar wheel bearing OEMs include SKF, Timken and Koyo and the last time I checked all were widely available at reasonable prices. If you can precisely measure the sizes or can read the part numbers on your existing bearings, you can often get the best price from an industrial supply house, but for just a little more money and a lot more convenience you can get the bearings from any of our forum sponsor parts specialists like Coventry West, SNG Barratt or Jagbits.

In case they may be of interest, at the links below are photo albums showing the process of replacing the front wheel bearings on our '93 XJ40, which is essentially identical to the X300 setup (the bearing part numbers are even the same):

XJ40/X300 Front Wheel Bearing Replacement & Adjustment Part 1 of 4
XJ40/X300 Front Wheel Bearing Replacement & Adjustment Part 2 of 4
XJ40/X300 Front Wheel Bearing Replacement & Adjustment Part 3 of 4
XJ40/X300 Front Wheel Bearing Replacement & Adjustment Part 4 of 4

Cheers,

Don