URGENT HELP NEED TO BORROW WHEEL BEARING PRELOAD TOOL

[Rhett]

So last weekend decided to check if the slight Patrol Wobble I was developing could be from the front wheel bearings, and indeed, left front had play. I had to also jippo a tool together in the garage and after a second attempt at it, came up with a working model. I tightening it up to take the amount of play away and so far no more wobble. Will be testing it on the weekend on a longer drive to make sure the bearing and hub aren't getting hot due to over-tightening. Question one is, would tightening it back up be sufficient for now, or should I pull the bearings and put new ones in? Grease looked clean and no evidence of water or gunk.

As far as the tool goes, it looks terrible as I did the welding myself , but it works 100% with a torque / socket wrench. Anyone on the East Rand who needs to use it, give me a shout.

[Peter Connan]

Pull an outer bearing and check for pitting and wear.

If the race and rollers are still nice and shiny, there's no need to replace, just re-grease and re-assemble. If you have money bothering you, I will gladly take it off your hands.

[Rhett]

Thanks Peter! I will do that and see if there is any need for replacement. What grease do you recommend? I have Castrol HT wheel bearing grease.. should be ok?

Wrt the tool, when I'm done with it I will let you know, I might want to patent it first :idea:

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[Peter Connan]

The manual specifies an NLGI2-spec Lithium-soap based multi-purpose grease.

Not trying to be nasty, but unless those bolts are a lot thicker than they look I don't think your tool is strong enough to apply the initial seating torque (170-200Nm).

It will be fine for the final adjustment though, which means you can use it to pull up your wheel bearings as you have just done, but not for installing new bearings.

[Rhett]

I wouldn't know at all if they will be strong enough, but if I do install new ones I'll let you know how it goes. They are 10mm bolts, so it will be a gamble. Chances are I will end up buying the tool just in case. I literally worked off a sketch of the original Nissan tool. The cylindrical version on Ebay etc, does look a bit stronger though. Next attempt might be based on that one.

On a different note, anyone bought and installed bumper rubbers (sit inside the front suspension coils)? I noticed the bottom part of mine are starting to perish.

[Peter Connan]

If it ever happens you are welcome to borrow mine.

Marnus (Marakasmalan) did this last year. Tends to be a struggle as the bolt rusts, then the nut rips loose inside the bumpstop. If this happens just grind right through the rubber.