Light Bulb Moment.

Heddy · 31st March 2016, 11:46

The car is eating front wheel bearings. At the scrappy today, noticed all front dust caps were missing (were they ever fitted?) but all the rears were present. Picked a couple up from rears and hope to fit to front, anything wrong with that? May just prolong the bearing life a little.

T-Cut · 31st March 2016, 13:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heddy

- - - noticed all front dust caps were missing (were they ever fitted?)

No, there aren't any at the front.

Quote:

May just prolong the bearing life a little.

I doubt it, but you'll clearly feel better. Do they actually fit?

Quote:

The car is eating front wheel bearings.

It's not due to the lack of a dust cap. There must be an underlying issue with the hub/drive shaft or the fitting itself. Are they being replaced by a garage?

TC

Heddy · 31st March 2016, 15:35

Thanks for replying, yes, they fit just like the rears. They're not dust caps as such but 'grease caps'. As the bearings are sealed then there's no need for grease. just thought water may have found it's way in. The guy who replaces them is a top bloke, and a friend, so no worries there. I feel the bearings have just been too cheap, fitting a FAG this time, £15 more expensive than the last one. We'll see how it performs.

cb750chris · 31st March 2016, 17:01

Not directly related to Rover front wheel bearings - never had to change one yet....
I have noticed a lot of new bearings are coming "pre greased" with so little grease it is not funny. I recently changed the front wheel bearings on my motorbike, and flicked the dust seals out to be met with something that resembled a snail trail across the bearing, not a decent application of grease... This was with a "well known brand" from a "well known supplier" (not eBay), so should be genuine - in this case I just added a bit of additional grease (then re-fitted the dust seals), and will see how this lasts....
Might be worth just getting your garage to check you have some grease in the new bearings before fitting?
Chris

T-Cut · 31st March 2016, 17:55

The double race bearings are pre-lubed and sealed, so it's not really feasible to add more. You can treat the outside faces with loads of grease, but none will get inside. The manufacturers put the correct amount in and it's a lot less than the old DIY dollop we used to put in double taper rollers.

TC

Heddy · 31st March 2016, 18:19

Here is the very thing, all ready to rumble (hopefully not)

klarzy · 31st March 2016, 18:47

What's worse than no grease.... Too much...!!

If the bearing us packed then mechanical work is needed to move the grease, this generates heat which will warm the bearing and separate The lubricant from the base soap it is held in....

You want enough to coat the races with air space....

jonathan63 · 31st March 2016, 19:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by klarzy.com

What's worse than no grease.... Too much...!!

If the bearing us packed then mechanical work is needed to move the grease, this generates heat which will warm the bearing and separate The lubricant from the base soap it is held in....

You want enough to coat the races with air space....

I'm not an engineer, but my thoughts exactly.

31st March 2016, 11:46	#1
Heddy This is my second home None Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: None Posts: 5,556 Thanks: 465 Thanked 1,161 Times in 924 Posts	Light Bulb Moment. The car is eating front wheel bearings. At the scrappy today, noticed all front dust caps were missing (were they ever fitted?) but all the rears were present. Picked a couple up from rears and hope to fit to front, anything wrong with that? May just prolong the bearing life a little.

31st March 2016, 17:01	#4
cb750chris Trader Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Portsmouth Posts: 849 Thanks: 201 Thanked 292 Times in 200 Posts	Not directly related to Rover front wheel bearings - never had to change one yet.... I have noticed a lot of new bearings are coming "pre greased" with so little grease it is not funny. I recently changed the front wheel bearings on my motorbike, and flicked the dust seals out to be met with something that resembled a snail trail across the bearing, not a decent application of grease... This was with a "well known brand" from a "well known supplier" (not eBay), so should be genuine - in this case I just added a bit of additional grease (then re-fitted the dust seals), and will see how this lasts.... Might be worth just getting your garage to check you have some grease in the new bearings before fitting? Chris __________________ Now offering T4 services in the Fareham area Replacement keys programmed / supplied / cut Diesel 135 upgrade available IPK virginisation and T4 matching available Sorry, due to a big change in home circumstances, I am unable to do any large jobs at present, but can still offer evening time diagnostics.

31st March 2016, 17:55	#5
T-Cut This is my second home Rover75 and Mreg Corsa. Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sumweer onat mote o'dust (Sagin) Posts: 21,753 Thanks: 341 Thanked 3,660 Times in 2,924 Posts	The double race bearings are pre-lubed and sealed, so it's not really feasible to add more. You can treat the outside faces with loads of grease, but none will get inside. The manufacturers put the correct amount in and it's a lot less than the old DIY dollop we used to put in double taper rollers. TC Last edited by T-Cut; 31st March 2016 at 17:57..

31st March 2016, 18:19	#6
Heddy This is my second home None Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: None Posts: 5,556 Thanks: 465 Thanked 1,161 Times in 924 Posts	Here is the very thing, all ready to rumble (hopefully not) Last edited by Heddy; 28th October 2021 at 17:11..

31st March 2016, 18:47	#7
klarzy This is my second home none but not gone Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: March, Cambs Posts: 16,437 Thanks: 894 Thanked 4,247 Times in 3,025 Posts	What's worse than no grease.... Too much...!! If the bearing us packed then mechanical work is needed to move the grease, this generates heat which will warm the bearing and separate The lubricant from the base soap it is held in.... You want enough to coat the races with air space.... __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]….All praise Bananaswan….

31st March 2016, 15:35	#3
Heddy This is my second home None Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: None Posts: 5,556 Thanks: 465 Thanked 1,161 Times in 924 Posts	Thanks for replying, yes, they fit just like the rears. They're not dust caps as such but 'grease caps'. As the bearings are sealed then there's no need for grease. just thought water may have found it's way in. The guy who replaces them is a top bloke, and a friend, so no worries there. I feel the bearings have just been too cheap, fitting a FAG this time, £15 more expensive than the last one. We'll see how it performs.