Something very strange happened - last time I ran the XJS I heard a brake bad go metal to metal ever so slightly so I parked the car and it sat for 6 months while I got around to replacing the rear brake pads. (We all know what a pain it is to replace rotors)

When I replaced and took it for a test drive, I hear a wheel bearing low growling noise. I replaced the wheel bearings in 2008 and they have probably had only 1800 miles on them since. I am 100% positive I had no noise when I put the car away 6 months ago.

Sure enough I can jack a wheel off the ground and wiggle the tire top to bottom and there is a bump bump play in the wheel/hub.

Anyone have a similar experience?

 

It is kind of hard to set the end float properly when installing a new set of bearings, for the grease is still firm and sticky. Therefore you need to recheck the end float after running the car for a couple of hundred kilometers.
Without that procedure, it can happen. I also experienced the same situation on my X300.

 

What bearings were replaced that you believe are making noise? The ones in the rear hubs?

Regardless of the pads (did you replace rotors too?) if you install bearings with too large a tolerance, they can run okay and noiselessly for a while, they are new and the centrifugal forces keep the bearings in place, but when they sit for a period, the bearings stay in one cocked position, and can get stuck that way. When you run it again, they stick that way and self destruct. It sort of like perfectly good tires can go bad after sitting because they get flat spots.

Not saying this is the only thing that could have happened, just one scenario I can dream up.

Did you set the endfloat or just do them up? Usually without a gauge a good rule of thumb is to tighten to 25 ft/lbs while spinning, back off 1/2 turn, turn the hub 1/4 of a turn and tighten to 2 ft/lbs. If it doesn't meet up with the retainer, back off a bit until it lines up.

 

I replaced the front bearings. I don't believe I ever checked them after they were changed... could be the reasons but also it sat for quite a while without moving.

I'll have to pull them soon and investigate.

 

Oh, since you mentioned the rear pads, I thought you were talking about the rear bearings.

Check the float before removal and let us know what you tighten the new ones too

 

The stub axles, where the bearings sit, can wear. This could be a source of observed wheel play. Someone on this forum suggested testing for this wear by using a finger nail to feel for a step underneath.

 

FYI, worn stub axle pics...

 

Thanks for the pictures - so they will obviously be grooved or serious wear? Do they come pre-grooved at all?

 

No, from the factory the surface all looks the same. So the area outside of those grooves. They can still be shiny or show some wear, but like he said you can feel it and see actual grooves, not just a polished wear pattern.

 

Speaking of wheel bearings. Check out the bearing I found on my 89 convertible.
Id say a tad small. But in their defence there was a piece of coke can rolled over spindle to take up the slack.
Some people shouldn't work on cars

 

OMG that is crazy. And dangerous......