Ok lads, Front wheel bearing time ...
 

One of my front bearings must be on the way out because I get the noise when I turn into a bend - trouble is I can't remember which bearing is fried when you turn in which direction and the noise disappears ...help?

Anyway, I have two good low mileage hubs off the parts car, so the plan is to swap them over to the VDP. Sound reasonable? Much of a hassle to pull the hub? Do I need a puller or will the BFH do as well?

Any advice and grease types/tips appreciated .

Spring is just around the corner and if it ever warms up I can get back to lying down fixing the car!

TIA

Larry

Hi Larry,

It's usually easy to confirm which bearing is failing by raising a corner, grasping the tire at 6 and 12 o'clock and alternately pushing/pulling and sensing for play in the wheel (not tire deflection).

Sorry again that the large images aren't working at Jag-Lovers but the thumbnails and descriptions are still there:

Jaguar XJ40 Front Wheel Bearings Part 1 of 4
Jaguar XJ40 Front Wheel Bearings Part 2 of 4
Jaguar XJ40 Front Wheel Bearings Part 3 of 4
Jaguar XJ40 Front Wheel Bearings Part 4 of 4

I would recommend just replacing the bearings, since it's easier than disconnecting the entire vertical link/steering knuckle, and the bearings are inexpensive (go with OEM Timken, SKF or Toyo bearings).

Any good heavy duty wheel bearing grease will work, but choose the one with the highest liquefaction temperature available at your favorite parts store. I use the Lucas Oil green stuff.

Cheers,

Don

Thanks Don - I had a look at your thread on Jag Lover's earlier today and it looks like all the help I need ..Thanks again.

Such a drag that the archive has still not been updated over there, your documented repairs on your XJ40's are too valuable to be lost ..

all the best

Larry

Loose stub axe nut and the hub will come loose, i never managed to pull the bearings with the puller (bad puller or lack of experience) but chisel and heavy hammer was more than enough in all cases, used the old bearing race to drive new race in. I would do all bearings at once and forget it, otherwise you will find yourself wondering if you did the job well or it is next hub grinding on you, soon after.

Jammed out on doing the wheel bearing, didn't fancy working in the street so gave the car over to a local (real, experienced) Jag mechanic ....and $160 later, she's good to go again!

Larry