Hi all, I'm giving Harvey a full service before his trip to Spa next week and have found the tiniest bit of play in the front wheel bearings. Its barely detectable (if at all, TBH). My local GSF are out of stock, so I'd have to order in and fix when they arrive, next week, but given there is so little play (that it may be just my imagiation !!) could I get away with just packing in some more grease and nipping the axel nut up a fraction of a tad...? I know its a bodge, but I'm thinking of contingencies, incase I can't get any replacement bearings in time... Thoughts anyone...? cheers P.
It's not a bodge ,this is what front wheel bearing do ,rear wheel bearings are a different ball game... If you nip it up and there's no rumble you will be good to go...
Remove play by nipping nut up. If doesnt go and its not gravelly or rumbling then leave it. If you want peace of mind then fit new. I used JK kit. Was Febi.
I thought there should be a tiny bit of play in the front wheel bearings. There was a fair bit of play on one of mine so I put more grease in and screwed the nut up a little and tightened it with the 6mm allen key. Been fine since.
There is a correct way to get the correct amount of play ..check out Haynes or Bentley ....as for GSF bearings avoid anything V tech ....
Well...I gave the nut an 1/8th turn and the slight play that might have been my imagination.... may have gone. Well see... Ty all for your advice P.
Aren't they meant to have a little bit of play in them to allow for expansion as they get hot. Nip up the nut and then back it off a fraction so you can move the washer behind it. As stated above if it doesn't rumble of feel gravelly leave it be.
Use the washer test, or tighten them while you're rotating the wheel so that you can slip a 3 thou feeler gauge in. You need a small gap for expansion.
Sorry to hijack but I'm wondering if worn bearings are my problem. Returning from a trip out yesterday and noticed a (not so good!) noise coming from the wheels, almost like when your driving over different road surface. This gradually got louder and I was glad to be only a mile from home! Ha. Once I was home there seemed to be a fair bit of heat emitting from the front wheels. Not had chance to jack up the van and check for play but does this sound like the bearings or could it be brake related? Brakes were working as usual at the time and the noise was there during normal driving when not on the brakes. If it's is the bearings are these a reasonable DIY job? Was looking at the JK bearing set, any specialist grease necessary or will all standard round grease do the job? Thanks
Sounds more likely to be brakes to be honest. jack the front up, rotate the wheel. If it is hard to turn, it is brakes, if there is a gravelly feel to the rotation, but it still turns, it is bearing. Heat would suggest brakes.
Replacing bearings is an easy diy job. Loads of videos on YouTube if you do a search. No idea of the quality of the bearings jk sell but others on here might have experience. Does the noise stop if you gently apply the brakes.
Thanks, I'd have to check on the brakes. If I remember right it did stop/ reduce when I was turning a corner in the road...left I think
The front hubs are designed to have slight play on the bearings...just discernable when rocking the wheel. No play when cold = bearing binding when hot. Just thought I'd mention it before anyone rushes out to replace bearings that okay...
Anyone know why ... or any makes (sellers) to avoid. Just had the MOT done and told they (front wheel bearings) are a little notchy so it looks like I will have to do the front wheel bearings soon.
I used these ones recently http://www.customandcommercial.com/...n_quality_front_wheel_bearing_kit_68-79_6442/ Had no problems so far.
