I recall seeing a modified front wheel bearing set up that eliminated stub axle wear and messing about with end float - but I cannot for the life of me recall nor find a link to the place that provides these kits. Since I'm into replacing stub axles due to wear, bearings and other sundries I'm considering this mod.

It was two bearings and a specially ground spacer - you torque it up and jobs done.

 

Here, "only" $295.
https://www.sngbarratt.com/English(U...Stub%20axle%60

 

Knew I'd seen them someplace ... thanks

 

Just IMO but I think the kit is a cure for which there is no disease

With new bearings and stub axles....and an occasional greasing of the bearings....you'll be good to go for decades of use. And the adjustment takes mere moments.

Spend the money elsewhere !

Cheers
DD

 

Ben
Rob Beere also offered a similar system, and I tried it. Totally not worth the time and trouble IM experience. It very quickly goes out of spec, in reality. All the FWB need, as Doug mentioned above, is proper adjustment and the odd greasing. I always do mine cold to just zero float. Never a problem.

 

Thanks, I won't bother with it then.

The issue I'm trying to 'avoid' is the wear on the stub axle. My car has less than 60k miles and the wear on the underside of the stub axles is not insignificant, adjustment I can live with although I don't think Jaguars documented method is all that good especially when the bearing outlasts the stub axle it rides on.

 

I think you'd find that the stub axle wear relates more to proper care than a design issue.

There was a time when periodic repacking (and adjustment) of the wheel bearings was a commonly known routine service operation. Over the decades it seems to have become forgotten. I can't tell you how many dry or nearly dry wheel bearings I come across.

Cheers
DD

 

No worries Doug, trust me I'm old school, if that's the only reason for the wear I'll be happy.

Servicing these days 'isn't' - laptop says it's OK and that's as far as they look, hose it down with brake cleaner and make it look pretty, job done. I've watched the health and safety brigade deprive apprentices of the joy to be found packing bearings by hand - I still do that old school too - don't need no tools but the hands on my arms.

 

Yup!
I was taught how to *Properly* pack wheel bearings when I was about 12.
I was underfoot in the shop anyway so they gave me a job. (my mother was positively Livid!)
(';')