Hi,

I went to have my XK8 aligned, and was told the front right wheel bearing has play, that doesn't meet factory specs. They tried to replace it, but after taking it all apart, they said they can't find the right puller, to pull the bearing out with. The nearest Jaguar dealer is a couple hours away, but, the XK8 rides great, with no bearing noise, handles great, no bearing noise when I hard turn right or left, no shaking or alignment issue while driving fast of slow. So, my question is: can I wait until Fall Season (Oct.) to ship the car to Jaguar <grin> The most miles I will put on the car between now and October, is no more than 3,000 miles.

Thanks,
-Art

 

Art,

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I'm not really surprised. No one is going to tell you it's SAFE to drive up to 3K miles with a bearing that has been diagnosed as worn. I'd have taken the original diagnosis as advisory and replaced the bearing before doing many more miles. However, now that it's been disturbed in an attempt at replacement, failure is a more likely event than it was prior to disassembly.

Is sending the vertical link/hub assembly to the dealer or an independent for bearing replacement an option?

Graham

 

I replaced the front bearings in my 97 just using various sockets, iron pipe pieces, and a 20 ton Harbor Freight press to remove the old and press in the new, and I didn't need a puller. Any competent shop should be able to handle this.

 

Art, I'm sure they are referring to the abs ring, screwed in place blocking access to the bearing. There is a special jaguar socket head that fits this. Last I looked costs about $90.

Yes there are several posts on the web about using 12 point sockets, even an air hammer (last thing I'd do), but replacing that ring will cost >$200 + time.

Unscrewing that abs ring is the hardest part of the job. Its on super tight. Though I'm sure if you bought the tool, he's got a compressor & impact wrench powerful enough to do it easily.

Do a search on here: front wheel bearing replacement how hard. Photos and links.


John

 

Oops, I forgot about the ring. I bought that special socket on ebay, not a bad investment if you can find a local shop to do the bearing job.

Jaguar XJ8 X308 1997-2003 XK8 X100 1996 > ABS Ring Tool Socket Equiv To 206-066A | eBay

 

I'd say try and confirm the diagnostics. Either use the stock jack, lift the front wheels one at a time and check on the bearing play yourself, or go to a shop, put the car on a lift and make them show you the play on all 4 wheels. Point is, there is always a chance the original shop was trying to have you pay for unnecessary work, and your car might still be safe to drive.

Remember, worn front tires on our cars are symptoms of failed upper strut mounts/ride height, a VERY common problem. Other general techniques diagnosing suspension problems based on tire wear pattern might lead you down the wrong path.

Best of luck, keep us posted.

 

John, Their invoice says they need a "HUB" tool, to replace the wheel bearing; and only Jaguar has it. They did tell me that they searched for the tool to buy, with no luck. They are a very big tire and repair company in New England and on Cape Cod; and fixed issues with my cars for years, with good results. The weird things is; I had a couple wheel bearings go defective in my life time and they always make noise, more noise when accelerating... I'm going to jack the car up and feel for cross-play myself. I'm guessing, there should be no cross-play, if the bearing is good, right? <grin>

The XK8 was state inspected right before I went to this tire and repair shop... At the state inspection, they jack up the front of every car and pull and push on the tires, checking bearing, ball joint, front end problems, and it passed.

Oh; The tires have hardly any wear on them, uneven or weird wear problems, and they have been on the car since I bought it, at 26,000 miles ago. Pirelli tires seem to last a long time, and they have lots of tread left, too. :-)

-Art

 

The old "ONLY JAGUAR HAS IT" ploy is false.
I worked at Jaguar but I bought my own because the tool (and many others) was missing from the toolroom most of the time.

Some Jaguar clubs have a tool loan program and a bunch of British car repair shops have it as well.

 

Found one here. $65 + tax and shipping.

https://www.germanspecialtytools.com › ...
Web results
Jaguar ABS Rotor Nut Socket (206-066A and 206-066B) – German Specialty Tools

 

Years ago we got a TSB from Jaguar regarding the modification to the HUB TOOL for later Jaguars.

The 206-066A can be left 'as-is' for early cars but the tool issued later on will likely be the modified version 206-066B.

 

Thanks for that reminder, I just ordered mine. I may need it for the rear and I might not but I'll have one. Thanks, TM

 

TM, hope this is good news. That tool is only used on front bearing job. Rear = tools you have in your shop + press.

John