wheel bearing noise

[red rooster]

hi all got a very odd noise coming from rear offside its not brakes could it be wheel bearing on the way out and how difficult to replace?what specialist tools do i need?what size bearing?

[Jon Tilson]

Possible. Think you need the churchill hub puller to change these. Never done one myself....

Jonners

[red rooster]

hi jonners does that mean that wheel bearings never wear out! i think when my brakes stuck on it may have resulted in cooking rear bearings?

[Mad Mart]

Possible. Think you need the churchill hub puller to change these. Never done one myself....

Jonners

Ohhhhh! yes!

[Jon Tilson]

Yes that is a possible explanation. The bearings aren't dear and are often on ebay.

Jonners

[Richard the old one]

You did not state what model of car you have and I only have experience with 1500HLs. Based on my own experience and I would think I have had to replaced about four in the 36 years that my family have been driving dolomites. I have found it easy to get the half shafts out but the problem comes when you try to get one or both the old bearing and the hub off the half shaft. I have resorted to taking the half shafts to a local friendly garage but the garage has been unable to shift the old bearing or hub in their press. I would love to have a Churchill extractor to see if this would shift the hub. The only way I have been able to get the car back on the road has been to obtain another half shaft and the various bits that are also needed such as the brake backing plate, hub and oil seals etc.

The garage did attempt to split one of the bearings by grinding it away but the oil seal surface was damaged in the attempt.

I now have in stock a spare half shaft and the various bits ready for the next time I have a noisy rear wheel bearing or a leaking oil seal.

[scott]

Hi All
you need to pop out the halfshaft then try to remove the collet pin,if you cant then find someone with oxy acetylene to heat it up then knock it out then heat up the bearing and remove it you need to press the new one in. If you dont have the tools use your local garage hope this helps.

Scott

[red rooster]

yup thank you very mucj i propped up rear of car last might and spun wheels and guess what it aint the wheel bearings no play or noise from eithet side confused.com diff? have checked oil level but all ok so will keep an ear out for noise again to try and pin it down is any of u guys going to ardingly steam and transport show? me and half dolly hoing and any advise on how to back off rear sprint spax struts?

[mahony]

Wheel Bearing noise is not always apparent unless under load

[Jon Tilson]

The churchill puller is essential as it bolts to the hub face and keeps it flat. They then pop off really easilly.
The "grab round the back" pullers just dont work as they distort the hub and make it grip tighter.

If you have one of these cars or a Spitfire the churchill style tool is well worth getting. They come up on ebay occasionally.

The "Old" method is a sound one, but will become less so as the source of half shafts dries up..... It also has the disadvantage of disturbing
wheel cylinders, which I find means making up brake pipes as the unions will be seized and pipe have to be cut.

I would look at prop centre bearing too...a source of whiney noise from below and behind. The rear u-j can cause a nasty vibration and a rumble too, getting worse with speed. The Diff pinion bearing often whines, but usually only gives up if the oil seal fails and the level gets too low.

Jonners

[red rooster]

cheers jonners dolly guru! got new ujs and centre bearing still good will top up diff or even flush out old oil and replenish i just dont have enough experience to figure out noise its mot a harsh mechanical noise more of a hum but car still drives very nice thank you

[Jon Tilson]

Try the front wheel bearings then. They hum like good'uns if the race gets pitted, and not always apparently from the front either.

Jonners

[red rooster]

hi jonners had car on axle stands its defo rear wheel bearings brought an old fashioned hub puller the 3 prong type couldnt shift it i need a churchill type puller has anyone got one fir sale or hire getting desperate now HELP !!!!!!!!!!

[Jon Tilson]

You may be cheaper getting another axle and swapping the whole half shaft. The proper puller is about 65 quid.

Jonners

[Edin Dundee]

Any pictures of a Churchill puller?
(waits for inevitable wit).....