I have been noticing a squeeking sound for the last month coming from the front of the vehicle while driving. Turns out to be the right front wheel bearing. I did a quick test 2 weeks ago by raising the vehicle and spinning the wheel. It would not spin freely on its own. This was the first indication of bearing failure. Two weeks later, I hear a big metal banging sound as if a screw was rattling around the inside of the engine. I decided to take it to my mechanic and as soon as he raised my VDP, the entire right front wheel moved. You can literally move the wheel back and forth. I have ordered a new bearing and hub and will have it installed as soon as the parts come in.

Three questions come to mind:

1. Do I need to replace the left front bearing and hub as well?
2. What caused damage to the bearing?
3. Any special tools required for removing the ABS ring?

Any help is much appreciated.

 

I understand the ABS ring socket shares the same pattern/size as Jeep, can't remember for sure. It's half the price of the Jaguar tool.
There's bearing remover/replacer tools here,
http://www.spxtools-shop.com/jlr/ind...088_Front.html
Used to be Churchill, factory supplier, now called SPX pretty much all factory tools can be ordered online or phone. It's useful if you don't work for Jaguar but work on them.

 

Thanks for the help Sean! I appreciate it. I'm glad I caught this on time. I've been commuting to work 60 miles one way. I couldn't imagine seeing my wheel roll past me while driving on the freeway.

 

Yes I bought one of those sockets from motorcarsltd for like $125 and it got to me over night since I am in TX. I tried all kinds of things and nothing would get it off until I used the socket with an impact. You also need to remove the knuckle and put it in a press, unless you have one of those kits to press bearings out of knuckles on the car. I found out while doing the job that I need ball joints, but I havent replaced them...yet

 

my 98 xj8 had the same problem. You will need the abs socket. one thing I have learned is if you want to do your own work on your jag. go buy or rent the right tools. It makes the job go faster and the end results are much better.

 

I was told that, even with the wobbling of the wheel, the entire wheel will NOT come off if kept driving. I find that hard to believe. Is this a true statement?

In regards to the press, if I am replacing both bearing and hub, then all I should be worried about is pressing the bearing back into the hub. I also just got the ABS socket. Hopefully my parts come in today.

 

Yes its true, it would be almost impossible for the wheel and hub to come off together. The hub is held on by the rotor, caliper, and caliper bracket (if equippe, i cant remember for sure what these cars have). You will have problems steering the car and serious brake pad wear long before the wheel ever thinks about falling off.

 

The 1998 XJ8 has the smaller 76mm bearing, The 1999MY onward has the larger 80mm bearings and don't fail as often. I have done 2 1998 XJ8 wheel bearings in the last few months. You can get replacements from local auto parts stores from something like 'National Brand' (made in Germany) for less than the TIMKIN OEM Jaguar parts.

The parts store gave me a choice of cheap ($19.95) or better quality (about $50.00)
or Jaguar sells them for about $80.00 (MJA1830AE)

bob gauff

 

Thanks Bob. I went ahead and got factory parts from the BMC dealership in San Francisco. I've had the small luxury of acquiring a 20% off discount for parts now. (Considering the the 300% mark up....LOL...sigh).

 

Got tthe bearing and hub today. Unfortunately, they are not pressed. Any suggestions on where I can send this out to be pressed?

 

I've read many have bought a 10 ton press from somewhere like Harbour Freight. I use the old bearing as a shoe to press the new one in. Also, a local service shop should have the ability without much trouble. Ring round, then there's always buying a press for $100 or so.

 

If you already had the knuckle off and the ABS ring I would only charge $20 to press it together at my shop. I have a harbor freight 12 ton press and it works great. Yep, I've changed many a wheel bearing with that Central Pneumatics 12 ton press.

 

When I worked at the dealer I sometimes got the occasional guy that bought the bearing from the parts department and the next day came back with the vertical link.
He could not get the ABS reluctor nut off and the bearing pressed out. I was called to the parts dept and asked if I could do a favor and replace the bearing while the guy waited. $40 or $50 CASH was usually offered to get the job done and the guy was on his way in a half hour or so.

Some mechanics get along with the parts dept or service and can be counted on for working with customers. Some are just A*%holes!!! It all depends on the way the service and parts departments are structured. I guess you could be fired for bypassing corporate protocol, but good customer relations sometimes trumps management policy/idiocy. It might be considered accepting a TIP!! Or doing work without logging the car into the database???

You could ask politely if someone could replace the bearing in the vertical link. Explain that it is already off the car and just needs the special tools.

bob gauff

 

Success! Thanks Bob for the advice. I was able to get the new bearing pressed and installed into the hub for $60. I had to borrow my friends mechanic jacket to help me out. Without it, it would have cost me $120. All is well and my 98 VDP is running well again.

 

I have a 97 XK8 Coupe and had a bad wheel bearing and like to do my own stuff. Unfortunately, I don't have a shop or all the tools. I bought the ABS socket for $125, went to Les Schwab and they used my tool, but had to use their wheel bearing in order to back up their work. They had the new bearing installed in less than an hour. For labor and part, it cost me about $160. Most everyone else wanted about $350 - $450 for labor and parts. It beat me spending 3 days trying to pull the hub, locking it down in a big vise that I don't have and pressing the bearing out and new one in, reassembling everything and hoping I don't have to pay to have an alignment done.

 

You wouldnt need an alignment simply from replacing the wheel hub unless someone erroneously aligned you car while it had front end problems. If anything, replacing the wheel bearing will get your alignment that much closer to specifications.

 

most shops will recommend replacing the hub as well.. depending on how much damage has taken place. However, I had the same issue occur. So I replaced the bearing on both sides and all is well. 500.00 total.