Tonks4x4 - Front Wheel Bearing

[Tonks4x4]

Hi all, just thought I would post a quick how to for wheel bearing replacement. I am sure it has been done before somewhere but it's for all the new folks and a reference to part numbers for me.

The correct wheel bearing part number for the front of an S2 coupe is:

Front Kit: 893 498 625 E which includes new nuts and bolts
Front Bearing on it's own : 4D0407625E

[Tonks4x4]

Start by removing the front leg from your car. This will include the track rod end, drop link, Top mounting nut, drive shaft bolt and bottom ball joint nut.

[Tonks4x4]

Once the leg is off remove the 2 leg to hub bolts

[Tonks4x4]

Carefully remove the ABS sensor and then remove the centre stub axle from the hub using a press. this will leave the outer bearing still in the hub and the inner on the stub axle.

[Tonks4x4]

Then push out the outer race from the hub

[Tonks4x4]

Then use a set of bearing pullers to remove the centre race from the stub axle.
Note the stub axle has a step in it. Make sure you have the bearing the correct way around when refitting the new bearing.

[Tonks4x4]

I then cleaned all the parts either by sandblasting or using a wire wheel, then treated them all to a coating of POR15

[Tonks4x4]

Then push the new bearing on to the stub axle making sure it is the correct way around for the step inside the 2 races.
Then push the new bearing with the stub axle into the hub

[Tonks4x4]

Fit the hub back to the leg and refit to the car.

[goodall]

Then push the new bearing on to the stub axle making sure it is the correct way around for the step inside the 2 races.
Then push the new bearing with the stub axle into the hub

How do you fit the outer cir-clip? I would press the bearing in to the carrier (hub) fit cir-clip and then press the flange (stub axle) into the bearing, that way the flange (stub axle) isnt in the way fitting the cir-clip

[Tonks4x4]

How do you fit the outer cir-clip? I would press the bearing in to the carrier (hub) fit cir-clip and then press the flange (stub axle) into the bearing, that way the flange (stub axle) isnt in the way fitting the cir-clip

I wondered if there should have been a circlip but if you look closely at the hub there is no circlip or groove for it to fit in...

[andy10v]

Good writeup, just a couple of things to add;

NS ABS sensor wire joint is underneath the washer tank. Rear abs joint under rear seat bench (saloon/avant).

For those not wishing to repaint the strut/remove the hub from the leg the whole strut/hub can be removed as a unit and the bearing replaced. (saves having to set the camber if the 2 hub bolts are removed).

[goodall]

I wondered if there should have been a circlip but if you look closely at the hub there is no circlip or groove for it to fit in...

Ah so your right, I have done all 4 my 90, which where single piece struts so must be different, but they all had circlips, aswell any other bearing i have ever done for friends on various cars, but then again the fit is normally fairly tight as a fair bit of force normally needed is the interference must be enough. Making the circlips a belt and braces approach I guess

[baltiboyS2]

Just to let you know thats the incorrect way to remove the bearing in post 4-5 if the bearing is stubborn and you have to use more force, then you will bend the caliper carrier bolt hole's seen it loads of times i have a customers A4 in at the moment car failed on imbalance on the front brakes this after cleaning up the pads and slide's so fitted new disc's and pads only for one of the wheels the NSF wheel binding could not turn the wheel freely at all, on investigation looks like someone had fitted a bearing at one time and put the hub on the plates the same way you did hence altering the the position of the carrier new hub needed

cheers Raj