Due to the front n/s wheel bearing needing to be replaced on my vrs, I am opting to carry out the work myself.

I've searched past threads and have found the below post to be quite useful (cheers guys:))

http://briskoda.net/fabia-i/fabia-front-wheel-bearings-fitting/116712/

However, I'd be grateful if anyone can answer the following queries:

- What should the new hub nut be torqued-up to?

- According to the above thread, a normal press shouldn't be used to press in the new bearing as it will damage the ABS ring. Is it possible to buy the special puller tool which skoda use? I have queried this already with skoda parts and they say that the puller tool is part of a larger hydraulic kit costing £700 (nice!!!). If this is the case, is there any other way (or tool) of pressing the new bearing back in the hub if attempting a DIY job?

Update for anyone wanting to buy the bearing kit:

- Skoda have now updated the part no. for the bearing assembly. It is now: 6Q0407621BR (this supercedes the old number of 6Q0407621AJ)

- The part no. for the hub nut remains at 6Q0407396B

Thanks in advance!

Dave

If you do a quick search on this you will find that special tool you need as the car has ABS fitted is a must really.

The thread I have seen doesn't detail it being part of a £700 kit but it's not an easy job period.

Edited 13 October, 200817 yr by Decron
Didn't read the orignal post properly :(

You will be lucky to DIY, if you mess it up it creates alsorts of problems,

In that case I may just have my local vw specialist carry out the work. Having done a few bearings in the past on my old cars, I was hoping to save a few pounds by doing this myself. However, I don't want to get it wrong and mess up the ABS if i don't have the right tools.

Thanks for your comments Decron and Lummox.

just been told by the garage that the traction light / ABS light is coming on now after they've fitted the new bearing. they're now going to take off the ABS unit and give it a clean and then put it back on. Failing this it will be a new ABS unit.

The garage said that it wasn't anything to do with not using the special puller tool, but that skoda replace the ABS unit at the same time as the bearing.

Can any of the tech's confirm the validity of this please? Otherwise I'll be arguing the cost of the new ABS unit - don't want to be shelling out for it if they've damaged it...

I would think they havent got the bearing in far enough and the sensor can pick up the rotor.

I'll try and find out more when I speak to them in half an hour. Thing is, i'm a bit confused why they would clean the old ABS unit (sensor I guess) as i thought it's built in to the wheel bearing assembly, which means the whole lot should be new. Maybe I'm misunderstanding it...

Well unless non genuine bearings are now available without the hub unit then they come complete as one piece. I have had one in before now that the bearing hasnt been pushes on all the way and has stopped on the metal ring, as without the propper tools it can be tricky to get in. This increases the airgap so the magnetic sensor doesnt work.

Just got off the dog and bone now. Apparently it does need a new sensor which is due to be delivered in the morning. VAG COM is picking up that the sensor isn't working.

Like i say, after searching on the forums here I thought the sensor was part of the bearing assembly. So I can only assume the workshop manager I spoke to (who isn't the mechanic) doesn't really know the full score, though he did confirm they'd used VAG genuine parts.

It's out of my hands so I'll have to wait and see what happens tomorrow. Just don't want the cost to escalate loads with labour etc.

Lummox, wish I lived closer to you mate, I'd have been much happier sending the work your way. Not easy to find a trusted and reputable source these days!! Cheers for your help.

The sensor bolts into the bearing housing.

The ABS ring that the sensor works off is part of the bearing. It will show up a sensor fault if they havent fitted the bearing properly.

The workshop manager said they took the sensor off and that it looked fine / weren't any visible signs of it being damaged.

I also have my doubts whether it's been refitted properly. Will wait and see, hopefully better news tomorrow. If not I'll go into it in depth with him tomorrow!

I've fitted loads of fabia wheel bearings and I've only had ABS issues once and that was because it was an after market wheel bearing which was useless. I reckon they've done something to the sensor or not fitted it correctly as the sensors very rarely play up on these.

Finally got my car back today (3rd day running). After fitting the new sensor the car is now fine and the ABS is working properly. Not the smoothest time at the garage if i'm honest, but i'm glad i've got the car back.

Just need to change the console bushes now i reckon - the front nearside tire is scrubbing quite badly on the outside yet the tracking is fine...