After installing some new wheels on my car (2005 xk8) on torquing the wheel nuts I noticed some looseness at the in the 12-6 axis on the right rear wheel. I retorqued the wheel nuts and still have the same play. I fear that this is a bearing problem. Is there any point in trying to tighten the axle nut? Is the replacement at all a diy proposition ? I have some skills and a good workshop, but no press. If not, can anyone recommend a shop in the Hamilton Ontario area that might do this work?

Thanks for your advice.

 

The wheel bearings are ball bearings rather than tapered bearing so you cannot tighten them up The bearing itself needs a press but you can buy complete hubs with the bearings installed which do not need such specialised tools. However, it might well be upper or lower joints that have failed rather than the bearing. If there is no rumbling noise when you spin the wheel or drive the car then that would suggest that it's not a bearing but you need to inspect more closely to find where the play is coming from.

Richard

 

More likely the diff 'stub axles' (output shafts) have some play. A certain amount is acceptable.

 

I have play in the half shafts but that is rotational play. Could you have up and down play without wear in one of the joints that should not have play?

Richard

 

The axle half shafts are the 'upper control arms' and the play might be the deep groove ball bearings.(JLM20337)
They take the load and are allowed a bit of play when they wear.
They need replacing when it becomes significant.

 

OK. Thanks. I wonder whether such play would be acceptable under the UK annual inspection? The rotational play is accepted but wasn't until I obtained confirmation from JLR 26 years ago.

Richard

 

I think it was Don B or someone that found the Jaguar acceptable wear limit measurement and posted it a while ago.

 

Here's the end float specification from the 2003-2006 Workshop Manual. Note that 0.15 mm is 0.0059 inch, and the spec for earlier cars was 0.006 inch.






Cheers,

Don