Front wheel bearing change
 

Hi all,

I'm changing the front hub on my car because of a elongated bottom balljoint hole.
While pushing in the hub flange into the new front wheel bearing, the inner race came loose. I put it back, but it doesn't stay put like it did before. Doesn't seem clipped in.
Have I ruined the bearing ????

Thanks

Pete.

When you remove the hub flange when changing the bearing, the inner race normally comes away with it, but I have never had one separate after putting the hub flange back on after fitting a new bearing. Are you using a press and supporting the outer part of the bearing at the back whilst refitting the hub flange ?

It might be OK, but I think I would be cautious about refitting the hub to the car with this bearing - for the sake of 20 pounds or so, I would get another bearing and fit it carefully to the hub (see my how-to on front wheel bearing changes).

Cheers

Pete

I started the installation of the flange with a rubber mallet. That's when it separated.

Pete.