March 2021

MARCH 2021 AFTERMARKET 25 www.aftermarketonline.net wheel bearing removal is generally straightforward, it is worth noting that some applications use a thrust washer between the drive shaft nut and the bearing, which needs to be cleaned, inspected and if necessary, replaced. Obviously, if a split pin is present, it must not be reused. “When both pressing out the old, and in the new bearings, always follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations and wherever possible, use a hydraulic press and a dolly of the correct diameter inside and outside. However, great care should be taken to ensure the tool does not come into contact with the bearing seal or sensor rings.” Critical Steve continued: “It is also critical that any mounting/pressing forces are only applied to the inner or outer ring that is being pressed into the housing or onto the shaft. Under no circumstances should any force be transmitted through the ball race, as this will damage the bearing and cause its premature failure. If the bearing is secured by a circlip, ensure the opening faces down, so water can easily drain away. “When fitting the bearing, technicians must ensure that the ABS sensor encoder ring is mounted the right way around, so that the vehicle’s encoder reader can operate correctly. Therefore, always use a Dayco encoder card to determine its orientation. The bearing is manufactured so that when fitted, the correct operating clearance is automatically established. However, to ensure the new bearing fits properly, the mounting surfaces should be checked and they must be clean, free from corrosion and from any damage. The bearing should also always be square to the surface it is being mounted into. Prior to mounting, the surfaces can be lightly oiled to ease assembly, but the use adhesive should be avoided, as future replacement may require excessive forces to remove the bearing. The drive shaft nut must be tightened to the vehicle manufacturer’s specified torque figure to ensure the bearing clearance is correct, but an impact driver is not recommended. Dayco’s kit KWD1035 contains a double row angler contact ball bearing with a split inner ring, the snap ring to secure the location of the bearing in its hub/axle and the castellated nut to clamp and secure the inner ring to the drive shaft.” Rewind The changing face of bearings means fresh information and training is always useful. With this in mind, a 2012 Ford Fiesta Wheel Bearing installation video has been added to Schaeffler’s burgeoning online training library. “With around two million Ford Fiesta and Ka models that use these bearings on the UK’s roads,” said Marketing and Digital Media Executive Tony Yates, “this should be a popular repair for any workshop. This additional resource to the REPXPERT portal provides another really useful video for mechanics. “The front wheel requires a press to remove the Generation 1 type wheel bearing before inserting the new unit into the hub assembly, and features an ABS encoder ring incorporated into the bearing. In contrast, the rear wheel bearing is a Generation 3 hub unit, which is a complete bolt-on module incorporating the mounting plate, bearing, wheel flange and ABS encoder.” Tony added: “It is worth reinforcing the message that everything on the REPXPERT site is completely free, with mechanics just needing to enter their workshop details and to then validate their registration after receiving a confirmation email. They will then become a REPXPERT member, with all the privileges and opportunities this provides.” To view the video please go to www.repxpert.co.uk Follow us on Facebook @aftermarket magazine