Replace front wheel hub?

[andymc]

So all of four days after getting the car back from having the front springs replaced, herself reports another grinding/scraping noise. Well whoop de doo ...

Turns out that the front nearside wheel bearing needs replaced, but the mechanic suggests replacing the hub at the same time, as he says the chances are it is also worn. I've checked a few online suppliers but haven't come across a hub yet, and the local motor factors can supply me with a bearing alright but only rear hubs, not front.

Three questions then: Firstly, is the hub likely to be worn out? Car has covered 141k miles so I'm guessing yes, but what do I know ...
Secondly, is it worth considering a hub from a car in a breaker's yard which has covered under 100k?
Thirdly, if the breaker's yard isn't an option then where can I buy a brand new hub?

(Sigh) Could really do with not having car issues for I don't know, say three whole months ... Thanks in advance for responses.

[EastPete]

Was the car making this noise before the front spring were done ? If not, it suggests something has gone wrong during the job. Wheel bearings tend to make whirring/whining/rumbling noises when they are worn- often worse on cornering. I think I would get a second opinion on this.

The hubs themselves do not usually wear, unless the pinch bolts have not been tightened properly, and the holes wear oval. If a wheel bearing problem is suspected, some folks just swap a second-hand hub onto the car, which is easier than fitting a new wheel bearing to the existing hub.

Grinding/scraping might suggest a problem with the brake disc/pads - I would check those out first.

Keep us updated.

Pete

[andymc]

Thanks for the reply. The springs job was done the week before last and new brake discs were fitted at the same time, but the car drove quietly and normally for four or five days (150 or so miles) before this latest issue came up, so I'm reasonably confident that it's just an annoying coincidence rather than a consequence of the recent work. I wouldn't be inclined to suspect shoddy workmanship in terms of not tightening bolts properly, as the mechanic is well-known to me and is a thorough sort.

So if the breaker's yard is an option, is the wheel hub the sort of thing where you can tell whether it's in good nick or not just by visually inspecting it?

[EastPete]

Check the hub is reasonably clean and not too rusty, and that the hole that the lower pinch bolt goes through has not worn oval. Turn the hub flange (or brake disc if still attached) to get a 'feel' for the wheel bearing - it should turn smoothly. Any signs of roughness or binding suggests the bearing may be shot. You might need to change the ABS sensor in the hub - these can be a challenge to remove/replace - go carefully and try not to damage the reluctor ring on the back of the wheel bearing. Some folks drill them out, but I am not keen on this, as this risks damaging the reluctor ring and the swarf could get in places you don't want it. Squirt some penetrating fluid around it, and then I place mole grips on them and yank them out. They will probably get destroyed in the process, but they come out in one piece this way without damaging the hub or wheel bearing. I only use genuine Rover ABS sensors (about 50-60 pounds each now, I am afraid), but they are worth it for all the hassle that folks on here have with cheaper after-market ones.

Cheers

Pete

[DMGRS]

I'd say it's not needed - I've done front bearings before on 2 of my 75s, and both definitions of the hub (the drive flange which presses into the bearing, and the hub / swivel assembly) are parts I'd not consider to be 'wear and tear' items.

[T16]

90% totally not needed.

Bearings can be "easily" replaced, and if done by someone with more than 9 braincells, the flange and hub should be undamaged during the process.

I got some new bearings from the old factory recently, swapped out, car was fine.

Pain to get them off the drive flange, but should all be good

If you really needed a new knuckle/hub, the car would drive oddly and it would be very obvious.

[EastPete]

I agree there is no real reason to change the hub unless the pinch bolt holes have worn oval. Folks often go for second-hand hubs when the wheel bearings have gone, as it is easier to swap the hubs than change the bearings.

I did a 'how-to' for the front wheel bearing swap a while back - look in the 'how-to' section of this forum. I used a bearing puller to get the old bearing inner race off the hub flange, but there are other methods if you do not have a bearing puller.

Cheers

Pete

[andymc]

Thanks for the replies folks, the help and advice is much appreciated as always. I'll pass this on and see what he says. If the pinch bolt holes are stretched I may end up looking at a second hand part.

[DMGRS]

That's the way I went with mine - I fitted a 2nd hand hub as the mounting point to the lower arm had ovaled out.