Sprint Rear Wheel Bearing Replacement

[stuartgb100]

Hi,

Need to double check why there's movement on the wheel, but I suspect wheel bearing replacement will be called for.

The manual tells me that later type inner/outer bearings should be used.
Where best to get these, please?

Are there any other issues?
............ hub puller, etc?

Any advice much appreciated.

Regards (and Happy Christmas to all),

Stuart.

[Hamish Coutts]

Stuart,

I could be wheel bearing trouble (which would be accompanied by wheel bearing noise from the offending side when the vehicle is running).

You didn't say if it was the front or rear.

If it's the rear' check it is not the outer driveshaft that's worn. This would result in the 'shaft being a 'rattle fit' in the outer (or indeed the inner) wheel bearing. If this was the case and the bearings were OK, there would be no unusual bearing noise when the car was running.
Had this trouble at the MOT this year where there was wheel movement. Turned out to be a worn driveshaft . Had to replace the shaft and bearings

If it's the front, can you not adjust the bearings as they are tapered?

The usual suspects stock bearings, front or rear - Susan Miller, Paul Matty


Regards,

Hamish.

[types26/36]

check it is not the outer driveshaft that's worn. This would result in the 'shaft being a 'rattle fit' in the outer (or indeed the inner) wheel bearing. If this was the case and the bearings were OK, there would be no unusual bearing noise when the car was runningHamish.

As well as the above, check the bearing housing is not worn resulting in the bearing being a sloppy fit in its housing.
Brian

[builder618]

Early elan had standard 206 sealed bearings. Available at any industrial bearing store.

[Dag-Henning]

I think they are called 2606 2RS .....Getting the hubs off can be a pain though! Take care not to bend them, and do not use a "giant" puller. Carefully heat them to ease their loosening ...With the hubs off, the job is very straight forward! Check the debth of the bearing / location. Believe
a spacer behind the bearing are required sometimes.

Dag

[wildoliver]

I warn you getting the hubs off is a nightmare, especially if they have been on for a long time, there is not an easy way, ideally you need a puller that works the knock on threads, although i was carefull and used an eared puller.

You will need a massive amount of heat, I used a welding torch, and the hub was red hot when it finally came off, this was after being under pressure for 3 days!

Do not quench the hub to cool it, let it cool naturally or you risk distortion, and dont make the stupid mistake i did remembering not to touch the red hot hub only to pick up the also red hot woodruff key that fell out!!!!!

Also be very carefull with the puller, if you use an eared puller they can slip off, and you will have it under so much tension if your body is in the way it hurts big style (my hand is living proof nearly broke it) and with either method you will no doubt end up leaving under tension for a couple of days, make sure it isnt pointing at another car it will make a mess if it releases suddenly, i put a pair of old wheels in the way to catch it when it went.

Good luck.

[berni29]

Hi

To get the hubs off use one of those "pullers" that go under the spinner. They work a treat. I have never needed to use heat, although I do whack the meaty part of the back of the hub with a hammer once everything is tourqued up (I am sure that heat would help though). The shockwave helps to loosen things. Bear in mind that they can come off with a bang, so do not sit astride the hub with your legs apart. I have never jumped back so fast in my life before.

Link to pictures of a "puller" (halfway down page) below...
http://www.searchsmart.co.uk/lotus/2005_may_jun.htm

Good luck!

Berni

[stuartgb100]

Many thanks all for the advice (and the warnings!).

Have decided to bring forward other planned work
(solid driveshafts and Spyder 2.25 inch rear spring
conversion) and do it all at the same time.

Is there anything else I could usefully do whilst both
rear strut/hub units are removed?

Regards.

[rgh0]

If you have the original stub axles and diff output shafts it is worth while having them crack tested

Rohan

[steveww]

I would have a look at the dampers and the diff bushes while you are in there as well. This is very similar to what I will be up to over the next few weeks. Fortunately the bearing do not need doing at the moment

[pereirac]

I found getting the hub off 'reasonably' easy compared with knocking out the old bearings. I ended up removing the whole rear strut and asking my friendly Lotus dealer to remove the bearings - He used a 5 Ton press (I don't have one of those...)

At the time the Elan was my only car so there was a big incentive to get the job finished ove a weekend...

Hub pullers somtimes appear on Ebay.