Xantia II (1999) - re-greasing rear wheel hub bearings

mrjohnson · Post by **mrjohnson** » 20 Nov 2010, 09:28

My rear hub bearings are starting to rumble slightly, although there's no play (just passed MOT).

There's lots of info about replacing the hub, but I could only find this...

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... b+bearings

...about re-greasing.

The Haynes manual says the bearings will be destroyed if the hub is pulled off. Is this true or not?

I presume I can only re-grease the outer bearings without removing the hub?

If I do decide to replace the hubs, and reading through the hub replacement threads, it seems like I need:

1. To check the rumble with a piece of steel between hub carrier and my ear.

2. Have correct socket and a big extension bar.

3. Hub puller...which is best, the claw type or the flat plate type? If a get a puller for the inner race (below0, it looks like the flat type of puller is needed.

4. Angle grinder or additional puller something like this to get off the inner race:

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/produ ... -040211226

Thanks in advance for help/comments/answers.

Regards

Martyn

Post by **xantia_v6** » 20 Nov 2010, 10:16

You missed this (short) thread.

I think you can force enough gease in through the outer race that some will find its way to the inner. Removing the hub tends to ruin the inner seal rather than the bearing.

Old-Guy · Post by **Old-Guy** » 20 Nov 2010, 10:51

xantia_v6 wrote:I think you can force enough gease in through the outer race that some will find its way to the inner. Removing the hub tends to ruin the inner seal rather than the bearing.

Gone are the days when strip-and-repacking of wheel bearings was a scheduled service item. Modern grease should last the life of the bearings, so replacing a complete wheel-bearing set is 'standard practise' (whether DIY or professional).

For the labour involved, it makes no sense to 'service' a bearing set that is close to the end of its life.

reblack68 · Post by **reblack68** » 20 Nov 2010, 12:32

It's too late when they start to make a noise anyway.

Kowalski · Post by **Kowalski** » 20 Nov 2010, 14:32

I re-lubricated the rear wheel bearings on my old Xantia by taking the outer cover off, sticking the nozzle of an oil-can into the bearing and pumping some oil in. After I added the oil, I put some grease onto the outer bearing to stop the oil from coming out again. The grease tends to dry out over time and adding some oil should turn it back into grease again.

VertVega · Post by **VertVega** » 20 Nov 2010, 21:26

Kowalski wrote:I re-lubricated the rear wheel bearings on my old Xantia by taking the outer cover off, ...

I also lubricated them long ago (many years) and they still keep on rolling

.
Both rear bearings are originals (200k Plus miles)

They were both already dryish then, left rear drier.
The same cover back on and gently tapping all around, it stayed without any problems.

mrjohnson · Post by **mrjohnson** » 22 Nov 2010, 13:57

Thanks for the replies.

I need to have a proper listen to check if one or both bearings are getting noisy. Then I think I'll try injecting gearbox oil into the bearing. I might try putting some in the freezer to see what it does to the viscosity...if it goes thicker it may stay put better before the cap is replaced.

VertVega & Kowalski - did you have to take off the hub nut to do this?

Cheers

Martyn

VertVega · Post by **VertVega** » 22 Nov 2010, 14:43

mrjohnson wrote:...
VertVega & Kowalski - did you have to take off the hub nut to do this?...

I have only removed the cover. Then you'll see the bearing balls and also see the grease amount and condition.
(There's a pic of it and I might edit this message later...)

I used only bearing grease.

---***---
Edit: Here's a close-up of the rear bearing right from the shelf, unused

(copied from seller's website

)

You can see the grease which is already quite thick and see how it's applied.
This tends to get dry.
From the gap seen in the pic (the big nut side) I have added new grease.

---***---

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 22 Nov 2010, 15:11

it does NOT destroy the bearings if you remove the hub!!

What it does do, is it splits the inner set of balls from the inner bearing race, leaving the inner race on the stub... HOWEVER, if this appears to be in good order, its not a problem, providing the balls in the bearing all stay intact.. and the race looks in good order... you can then completely and utterly stuff the thing with grease! As for refitting, the washer and large nut pushes it all back home nicely!

I have TWICE now, replaced a noisy bearing with a quiet one, of course, they were hubs and bearings, the inner race staying in place both times, and have successfully worked...

Paul

scottishpaul · Post by **scottishpaul** » 23 Nov 2010, 22:15

does anyone know if you can get a new inner race on its own ? as mines has pit marks off the hub bearings on the lower side ...cheers