Today I had a chance to replace the wheel bearings on the Expanda after having had it for couple of years since new. I have already repacked them once in this time though and check them regularly as part of general maintenance.
The site manager came with me down to the bearing wholesalers to pick up the new bearings, seals and grease but she rode in the back of the BT
I removed one side and knocked out the old seal and bearing cups to get the part numbers requiered for the job. I used a drift and a good hammer with a bit of weight behind it to make the job easier.
The new bearings are Made in Japan which is what I wanted and were the same as the ones that came out.
You can see the OE hub seal had started to wear the lip so my timing was just right
When knocking in the new cups you shouldn't hit directly on them as they will likely get damaged. Also you have to hit them in nice and square and make sure they are hit in home which you can tell by the sound changing of the strikes.
I use the old cups by grinding the outer edge off with a stone wheel on a bench grinder so the old cup will fall ino the hub as you dont want it stick in the hub with the new one. Also make sure you don't put the new cups in backwards
Clean the old cup before using it too.
Outer bearing cup refitted, note how clean the inside of the hub is,I used carby cleaner for this.
The next part is the messy bit so no pics but fill the new bearings with new clean grease making sure the grease is all around the rollers by tapping the bearing into a dollap of grease in the palm of your hand. There is tools you can use to but I have always used this method.
I then fill the void in the hub with new grease and refit the hub seal carefully so it doesn't get dented,damaged and distorted. The outer face of the hub seal should be flush with the edge of the hub.
Next refit the hub assemby making sure the brake magnet is still located and refit your cleaned washer and nut before adusting the new bearings. Spin the bearings over to dispearse the grease in the bearings.
This pic is just an eg as I had already done it,thats why the split pin is in :encouragement:
I also readjusted the brakes whilst it was on the
Jack Stands not just on the Jack
THIS IS A GUIDE ONLY AND IF YOU ARE UNSURE ON WHAT TO DO SEEK AN EXPERIENCED TRADESMAN THIS JOB DOES REQUIRE MECHANICAL KNOWLEDGE AND INVOLVES THE BRAKING SYSTEM.
SO UNDERTAKE ANYWORK AT YOUR OWN RISK