Front Wheel Bearings

F

FourtyRoy

A2OC Donor
The TDi has done 110K miles now but travelling on the M25 has become unbearable with the whine around 60-70mph so my thoughts were front wheel bearings. Having limited facilities took it to a local garage (not Audi as pretty standard I thought).

Sure enough they were on there way out and can't grumble for the mileage. However the bearings have to be replaced as a complete hub assembly (what happened to the good old simple days!) and in the region of £100 each then Labour & Alignment I am looking at £300-£400 cost for what I thought was going to be half that.

Anybody had a similar experience and confirm this is the right ballpark, or am I being done!!

Regards

Roy
 
Unfortunately, that's right!

The bearings are destroyed on removal and you cannot get just the bearing as a replacement part, they come pre-pressed onto the hub.

It may be worth investigating whther an aftermarket nearing specialist can supply just the bearings which would mean that the hub is re-used.

However, you'll still need alignment checks and even though you'd be saving about £120 (for both sides in total), is it really worth it, knowing that your hibs have done over 100k miles?

BTW, the hib/bearing assemby are £88 each, not £100, so they were adding to the costs slightly there!

Cheers,

Mike
 
hi some on ebay item 170275152068.but carnt be sure if its what you need,perhaps skipton's brain. would tell you.mike
 
Good find Mikeee - 2 bearings for £115 can't be bad! Seller has 100% positive too. Judging by the application list, all 1.4 and 1.2 A2s are compatible.

Cheers,

Mike
 
Hi Roy
As you found, the bearings are part of the hub and only sold as an assembly. This complicates installation as special tools are need to pull the hub into the bearing housing. They cannot be pressed in conventionally without loading up the bearing races and causing permanent damage. If using an independant garage I'd check to ensure they have the correct installation tools before letting them do the job.
The good news is that none of the steering geometry settings should be affected while replacing the hub assy so an alignment check will be unnecessary. However, as Skipton indicated, if you have not had the wheel alignment checked before then its a good time to have it done.
Without the wheel alignment I'd allow for a couple of hours labour plus parts.

Cheers Spike
 
Thanks for everybody's input.

Its comforting to know that at least I'm not having the wool totally pulled over my eyes as I first thought. The bill has come nearer the £400 mark which I guess is their extra cherry on the parts but realistically I wouldn't expect to now replace them again probably in the time I have the car (200K is the Target).

Regards

Roy
 
spike said:
Hi Roy
As you found, the bearings are part of the hub and only sold as an assembly. This complicates installation as special tools are need to pull the hub into the bearing housing. They cannot be pressed in conventionally without loading up the bearing races and causing permanent damage. If using an independant garage I'd check to ensure they have the correct installation tools before letting them do the job.
The good news is that none of the steering geometry settings should be affected while replacing the hub assy so an alignment check will be unnecessary. However, as Skipton indicated, if you have not had the wheel alignment checked before then its a good time to have it done.
Without the wheel alignment I'd allow for a couple of hours labour plus parts.

Cheers Spike
Click to expand...
Hi Spike

This is my first visit and I joint because my trusty A2 has had both front wheel bearings fail in the recent wet weather. I have purchased two bearing assemblies but despite 20 years of DIY mechanicing have seen nothing like them before. Can’t see how to press or draw then into position without loading and wrecking the bearings. What are these special tools you refer to?

Any advice appreciated. Playing tunes on the bearings at the moment; failure can’t be far away.

Phil W
 
Hi Phil,

It is a nightmare of a job to do and it's certainly one where the special pullers are a must. A picture tells a thousand words, so here you go:

FrontBearingInstall.jpg


Cheers,

Mike
 
Mike

A big thanks for the illustration; now I can see how it is done. Does anybody know:
• Where could one of these tools can be purchased; although I think the cost would prohibitive?
• If these tools can be hired and where?
• Of a good independent in the North Yorkshire area who has one of these tools

Thanks

PhilW
 
Machine Mart used to sell a set that would accomodate removing most Hubs and what was left of the bearings, and then reinstate the bearing and or hub assembly, saves a bundle on the VAG special tool assemblies, compared to the MM price of about £80.
 
I had my driver's side replaced several months ago, £140 total from a local VAG specialist.

Cheers

glock17
 
Seat and Skoda garages don't seem to have the dillusions of grandeur displayed by many Audi dealers. They should have the same VAG tooling and may be worth trying.
I had a look at the Machine Mart hub separator (CHT240) mentioned by Colin but from the pics its not clear if it would work on an A2 hub. A Draper version is on e.bay for £25 if you think its worth a try - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DRAPER-UNIVER...UK_Measuring_Tools_Levels?hash=item20ab9b3351

Cheers Spike
 
I’ve finally given up and conceded that A2 front wheel bearings are not a DIY job. The hub puller suggested by Colin would help with removing the drive flange. But to achieve this I would have taken the hub off the car and slipped my local garage a few notes to press the whole bearing drive flange assembly out. The key to this job is the special tool identified by Skipton01. Without it the bearing cannot be fitted without risk of damage.
Garages local to me don’t have the tool so I went to talk to my Audi dealer. Granted VW are cheaper but I am on my second A2, the first was wrecked by a VW dealer who lifted it incorrectly. I did get a new car but I am not going there again.
Total cost for two front wheel bearings fitted £260 plus two bearings from Euro Car Parts £104. Not cheap compared to glock17’s bill but could have been worse.
Thanks all for your contributions.
 
It was 2003 when the first car was damaged. However I believe it was lifted just ahead of the B posts. The deformation to the sills was clearly visible and handling was significantly affected.
 
Hello,

I'm about to set and do the front wheel bearings and just wondered if anyone knew where to get a tool from to remove the hub bolt for the drive shaft.

I think it's a 22mm hexagon if anyone could confirm this also it would be much appreciated.

Thanks
 
autopedia said:
Hello,

I'm about to set and do the front wheel bearings and just wondered if anyone knew where to get a tool from to remove the hub bolt for the drive shaft.

I think it's a 22mm hexagon if anyone could confirm this also it would be much appreciated.

Thanks
Click to expand...

As Spike mentioned it's a use-once 36mm bi-hex nut. I'm part way through doing the wishbones and because the lower balljoint is siezed I'm dismantling the drive-shaft to access. This is on a 2003 car and this driveshaft probably hasn't been touched since it rolled off the production line. If you're doing the bearings, then there's a good chance the splined driveshaft will be siezed solid. Reckon you'll need three-leg bearing/hub pullers on it to force the driveshaft out. You need a set that open past 130mm. :)
 
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