AU Front wheel bearings

Bill M · 15-01-2016, 11:16 AM

Hello all,

I have a question regarding members experiences with the life of AU front wheel bearings, mine are at 160 000 Km with a front brake job due soon and was wondering about replacement timelines.
Cheers
Bill.

**Peuty** · 15-01-2016, 11:43 AM

Do them for sure. I did mine at approx. 140K and they were shagged. not to mention that the left one was stuck on the spindle and was a real ****** to get off.

Do hubs at the same time as they came as one unit - hubs and bearings.

**Peuty** · 15-01-2016, 11:46 AM

This is the easiest solution - everything you'll need to do the job. Oh, but you will need a 32mm (I think) socket to get the pac nuts off.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2-x-Genui...kAAOSwqu9VB-hZ

josh1990 · 15-01-2016, 05:43 PM

You will also need a decent torque wrench, not sure on au but on BA the hubs go to 300nm. Also pretty sure it'll be a 36mm nut. BA share the same hub as au2 and 3 so should be same size nut.

Edit - Linky for guide http://www.fordforums.com.au/vbporta...?articleid=222

Bill M · 15-01-2016, 06:46 PM

Thanks guys, that is a great help.
Bill.

JAJH · 15-01-2016, 07:54 PM

2 schools of thought...if they aren't making a noise and there's no excess movement they might be good for another 50,000klms. On the other hand if you are getting the brakes done soon, it would be easier and cheaper to do them whilst the brakes are being done. I upgraded my brakes yesterday and although the bearings were fine, I replaced them with new ones at $111 each, so not a bucket load of dollars to do the job.

**Raptor** · 15-01-2016, 10:27 PM

Ain't broken, don't fix it.

They need replacement when they need replacement. If they're still fine, they're fine.

Save your money.

.

msman · 16-01-2016, 10:21 AM

if your doing the job
check for play and replace as necessary
as per raptor why spend the $$

if mechanic doing work may be worth doing it to save labour cost in the long term.
assuming your doing discs and pads? so brakes already apart probably only 30mins extra labour.

choice is yours.

XC50077 · 16-01-2016, 11:30 AM

My son's AU1 tonner V8 has 345K and original front bearings are just starting to make a noise, mainly semi rural driving so not too much braking but often has 300kg in the tray.

mik · 16-01-2016, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XC50077

My son's AU1 tonner V8 has 345K and original front bearings are just starting to make a noise, mainly semi rural driving so not too much braking but often has 300kg in the tray.image

perhaps the amount grease put in the hubs from new or the type of grease also has some bearing on it (pun intended

)
, my first set lasted to 100,000 k`s before they started getting a little noisy , they probably would have lasted some time longer , but i like to replace stuff as soon as noise indication appears, my current front set has nearly 140 kliks on them and still seem fine .

Spurious · 22-01-2016, 03:52 PM

If the hubs have done 160K, there's no excuse to leave them on. If they're not stuffed now, they will be soon!
Someone also mentioned torque settings...I've done both the front hubs on my AUII & just reefed the nuts up with a half inch ratchet!

FACT: the Au bearing assemblies are pre-assembled & pre tensioned. All you do is fit the new hub & tighten all the hub nuts one on the other, fit dustcap...done!

In most cases the inner bearing race will stay firmly on the axle stub when the hub assembly is removed. Just carefully grind away the top edge of the race, it'll lose it's integrity & fall off. Clean stub & fit new one!