Friends, I wanted to post this for your future reference. I had my front wheel bearings replaced today, it cost $800 on a 1998 XK8.

Why did I think I needed them replaced? Frankly this all started with a "feeling" that something might not be right with the suspension. At this point it was nothing obvious, I just wasn't getting the same response (thought it might all be in my head but checked anyway). The trusted mechanic looked it over and said all was right except for the bearings. He showed me how the wheel wiggled when he grasped the suspended wheel in question by the top and bottom and rocked back and forth. A little light went on, I asked him is that what I feel when driving slowly and then with a small left or right direction shift (the wheels are then latterally loaded), I feel a roughness in the steering wheel? He confirmed it. Would I see an improvment in handling or ride? He miminized that and said not much. (Boy was he wrong!!!)

Well within a week, whenever I started to move the car cold, it sounded like I had a few tin cans tied underneath the front end. This went away as the bearings heated up in a few miles. A few days ago I took one of my favorite corners not quite as hard as I might but, it felt / sounded like I was riding on the edge of my rims! That was it, made the appointment, brought her in today and got her back 5 hours later.

Does it make a difference in the ride? Yes, oh boy yes - it sure does. It's like I'm driving on a cloud, but the tightness is back and the steering feels smooth as ever. Nudge the wheel slightly - immediate response. This is one of those things that changed ever so slightly over a long period of time that I didn't really miss it, but now that it's back to normal I wonder how. It is a big improvment.

When I checked the archieves the prices posted for this were a few years old and in pounds not dollars. FWIW, it took the mechanic 4.5 hours to complete. Hope this helps you down the road.

John

 

Holy smoke. How long did you drive it around like that?! I changed one of my bearings earlier this year just because I could hear the start of that tell-tale whirring/whining. Tin cans? Jeez - I'd be a nervous wreck - lol!

Changed the bearing myself (the write-up is in here someplace). Yea - 4 to 5 hours sounds about right; especially if you include all those "fun" surprises.