Lars
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| posted on 1/1/09 at 08:34 PM |
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english axle problem
My rear axle has recently developed a knocking sound from the nearside wheel.
While driving today it then go a fair bit louder and there was some grinding noises and finally it spat oil out into the arch.
When the sound first started I had the drum of and checked a few things, but could not see anything wrong.
I am now wondering how likely is it that I only need to replace the bearing.
Is it likely that this has been caused by something like a bent half shaft, etc.
I have not had time to get the shaft out yet, but took the wheel of and saw that there is now 3-5mm of play in the shaft.
Any opinions welcome.
Lars
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 1/1/09 at 08:37 PM |
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It all points to a collapsed bearing - not too horrible a job to fix - even I managed it (although I got a garage to push the new bearing on - cost me
a couple of ££)
You will need to pull the half-shaft out (watch out for the oil!), then you will see the bearing. If you don't fancy doing it yourself, you can
take the axle and new bearing to a decent local garage, and they can fit it for you.
This link may help if you fancy some DIY.
[Edited on 1/1/09 by David Jenkins]
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Lars
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| posted on 1/1/09 at 08:43 PM |
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THat sounds encouraging David.
I don't mind giving it a go.
Just don't want to change it and then the problem to re occur as the problem may have been caused by something else.
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 1/1/09 at 08:47 PM |
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To be honest - you're going to have to pull the axle to see what the problem is anyway! It'll be obvious if it's bent, but more
than likely you'll find that the bearing outer race will rattle around the shaft, and feel like it's full of grit.
It may well be a one-off event, possibly caused by a lack of lubrication (check your oil level once you've finished). Bearings die - it's
just a matter of when and how.
Don't do what I did, BTW - had the axle on a workmate, cheerfully pulling out a half-shaft, and ended up with a flood of smelly old axle oil
over my shoes!  
[Edited on 1/1/09 by David Jenkins]
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Lars
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| posted on 1/1/09 at 09:32 PM |
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I'll try and get the half shaft out then and have a look.
I guess even if it fails again the bearings aren't too expensive.
THanks for your help.
Lars
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02GF74
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| posted on 1/1/09 at 09:47 PM |
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the play at the wheel can only be due to bearing problem.
replacement is not that daunting - I did both sides - search my posts about this as well as the tool to remove the half shafts.
There is a specaill puller forthe bearing but I used a stout piece of steel tubing to smack the bearing on - press on the inner race. The collar
drops on easily after being heated on a BBQ!
The hardest and most time consuming part is removal of the old bearing - I used an angle grinder.
Two things to note when you do this os to make sure you have the square flange plate on before smakcing down the bearing and that the bearing has a
lip so is handed.
If you need any advice, then ask - at least 3 of us on this forum have done this.
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prawnabie
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| posted on 1/1/09 at 09:47 PM |
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One of my rear wheel bearings did the same, it knocked for a few weeks until the seal gave up and it spat oil everywhere. You don't need to take
the axle anywhere, just pull out the halfshaft and check it for straightness before anything else. If all is ok, just take that and the new bearing
kit to a garage and they will press the new one on for not much money.
A word of warning though lol- Once you see that the halfshaft and ultimatley the wheel is only held onto the car by a metal collar, you will never
take a corner in the same way again lol!
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02GF74
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| posted on 1/1/09 at 09:49 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by prawnabie
A word of warning though lol- Once you see that the halfshaft and ultimatley the wheel is only held onto the car by a metal collar, you will never
take a corner in the same way again lol!
Indeed - it is common practice to drop a blob of weld to fix the collar to the axle - downside is it takes longer to grind off but then it should last
many years.
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02GF74
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| posted on 1/1/09 at 09:53 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Lars
I guess even if it fails again the bearings aren't too expensive.
I got mine off ebay - about £ 20. They had groove cut in the outer with an o-ring seal; quite tricky to fit; I managed to break an o-ring so had to
get a replacement.
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Lars
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| posted on 1/1/09 at 10:41 PM |
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Nice one.
So I will check the half shaft is straight.
If it is, i shall just fit a new bearing.
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 2/1/09 at 04:07 PM |
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There's a quick check - jack up that axle, then spin the wheel back and forth. If you can hear and/or feel a 'grittiness' or
roughness then it's certain that it's the bearing.
Compare it to the good side if you are unsure.
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Lars
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| posted on 2/1/09 at 05:32 PM |
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the bearing is definitely gone. Took out the shaft today and the bearing appears to have been shredded.
However the shaft seem straight, so I will just try to replace the bearing.
Does anyone know if bearings on the english axle are interchangable?
THe one on the shaft has a smaller diameter ledge on both sides of the bearing and then the extra ring to hold it in place. Been to my local motor
factor today, but he did not seem to have an identical replacement.
THe axle is an english axle from a very early Capri ( it may have said capri consul, or similar on the car that I took it from)
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Lars
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| posted on 2/1/09 at 05:39 PM |
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Just to clarify the above the bearing looks something like this:
Image deleted by owner
So does anyone know whether other shape bearings can be used instead?
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 2/1/09 at 06:26 PM |
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This place has them (I think)
BearingKits
They advertise a lot on ebay too...
Probably worth phoning them to make sure that you get the right one.
Also spotted this one on the bay
LINKY
[Edited on 2/1/09 by David Jenkins]
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Lars
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| posted on 2/1/09 at 06:49 PM |
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Yes, I did see that, but they sell them for £40 each, my local motor factor is selling english axle bearings from £7.
So if they are interchangable then I would quite like to save a bit of money.
However he has all sort of differently shaped bearings, one even had an "o" ring going around the bearing.
I will try and remove the old bearing and see how it meassures up to the ones he has. presumably if the inside and outside diameters are the same then
it should be the right bearing
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 2/1/09 at 06:52 PM |
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I doubt that you'll get the old bearing off without destroying it - best of luck trying!
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rusty nuts
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| posted on 2/1/09 at 07:23 PM |
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Bearing separator and a press should get it off in one piece. If you can get it off then take it to your motor factors, they may be able to cross
reference from any numbers on the bearing. Make sure you get a new retainer
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bigfoot4616
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| posted on 2/1/09 at 09:12 PM |
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destroyed mine removing them today. grinder, hammer and chisel did the job nicely.
partco told me there is a choice of 2 bearings, 62mm OD or 67mm OD.
thats for an escort axle though
[Edited on 2/1/09 by bigfoot4616]
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Lars
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| posted on 3/1/09 at 04:25 PM |
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Measured mine today and came to 61.85mm, so I guess I am after the 62mm one.
Do you have a part number for that one, or do you know what car/model it came off?
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bigfoot4616
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| posted on 4/1/09 at 02:03 PM |
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no part no. there on order.
they were listed as mk2 escort rs2000 plus a few other models.
did notice capri was also in the list they fitted but not sure which models
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bigfoot4616
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| posted on 5/1/09 at 06:21 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by 02GF74
I got mine off ebay - about £ 20. They had groove cut in the outer with an o-ring seal; quite tricky to fit; I managed to break an o-ring so had to
get a replacement.
did your original bearings have the o-ring seal?
got my replacements today and they also have an o-ring, the old ones didn't.
am wondering now if i have got the right ones
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02GF74
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| posted on 7/1/09 at 09:56 AM |
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the bearings the 3 halfshafts did not have the o-ring; the 2 new ones did.
Providing the dimensions are the same then IMO this is a good move as the o-ring will help with sealing; the downside is it they were damn fiddly to
fit and 'twas easy to rip the o-ring as I found to my cost.
you just need to take time and check that the ring has gone into the axle.
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Daddylonglegs
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| posted on 7/1/09 at 10:16 AM |
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I'm gonna have the same issue soon (once I can find someone to fit the bearings to the 1/2-shaft)
Does the O'ring go toward the inside or outside of the tube (I notice that one side of the bearing has the inner protruding outside of the outer
face too)
JB
It looks like the Midget is winning at the moment......
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Neville Jones
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| posted on 7/1/09 at 10:30 AM |
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The biggest cause of these bearing failures is a bent axle housing, and not bent axles.
The housings are easily bent due to welding, and yours is probably no exception.
Take both axles out, remove the brake back plates, and put a straight edge horizontally across each end, and measure for 'toe in' or
'toe out' on the housing. You may be surprised.
It only takes a little misalignment to knacker bearings real fast.
Nev.
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bigfoot4616
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| posted on 7/1/09 at 04:52 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by 02GF74
the bearings the 3 halfshafts did not have the o-ring; the 2 new ones did.
Providing the dimensions are the same then IMO this is a good move as the o-ring will help with sealing; the downside is it they were damn fiddly to
fit and 'twas easy to rip the o-ring as I found to my cost.
you just need to take time and check that the ring has gone into the axle.
cheers mate
checked all bearing dimensions and they are all the same.
daddylonglegs
i was going to do them myself but i know a garage owner and he said he would do it on his press. he said a 5 minute job so wouldn't cost much if
you dont know anyone.
i did compare with the old ones to see which way round they go but carnt remember. i think the protruding side goes towards the wheel, i can
check for you when i'm next in the garage
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