What's the easiest way to get the front offside wheel bearing replaced? I am contemplating either a new bearing set or just replacing the whole hub assembly.

Any ideas on likely cost etc?

I was a little shocked when I felt a little wobble whilst washing the car, and then when I jacked it up, I could wobble it a good centimetre or more at the edges!,,,,

I was thinking if this turns out to be an ABS hub, could do a straight swap?

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item2a2ca3be48

or if it turns out to be a non-ABS hub, I could use this

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item3cc6129bc6

The other weird thing is I have a receipt for a new bearing being fitted 12/08/2011 - Could it have been fitted badly, or can something else cause a wheel bearing to go in under 2 years?

if the car hit a deep pot hole, or drove onto the kerb at speed could cause it even if its new depending on how serious.

Is this for the 16V Fabia? if its an elegance it should have ABS as standard, i know my W reg Elegance had it and it was one of the early ones.

Yeah, I know my car has ABS, it's ensuring any replacement complete hub also has ABS. A lot of them just say "1.4" and I don't know its from an MPI with no ABS, or from another with it. One of the few I found was ABS, and a sensor included, was the 1.2 one listed above, which I am sure is fine as it will use the same brakes as my 1.4 16v. I also reckon it will have the same splines on the driveshaft too (else there'd be more than one type of hub nut out there)

If this proves to be the only serious issue with this car, then I don't mind getting the unit replaced. I've not driven it yet, but I imagine at speed it's very dodgy having a wheel that wobbly. I can wobble the wheel and can see the pads wobbling against the discs

I had a wheel bearing replaced on my last vRS. It was the last time I ever bought a non genuine part too. For some reason where the hub bolt goes in, the surface wasn't flat so I couldn't tighten the bolt properly. Had to buy a socket and machine it down so I could get it torqued properly. Lasted about 6 months until I took a roundabout a bit too enthusiastically, booted it out of the roundabout and dash lit up like a Christmas tree. The ABS ring inside had disintegrated so I had to have Skoda bolt on a new hub again. Buy cheap, pay twice.

edit: i got my driveshaft nut and hub nuts mixed up lol

I had a wheel bearing replaced on my last vRS. It was the last time I ever bought a non genuine part too. For some reason where the hub bolt goes in, the surface wasn't flat so I couldn't tighten the bolt properly. Had to buy a socket and machine it down so I could get it torqued properly. Lasted about 6 months until I took a roundabout a bit too enthusiastically, booted it out of the roundabout and dash lit up like a Christmas tree. The ABS ring inside had disintegrated so I had to have Skoda bolt on a new hub again. Buy cheap, pay twice.

This is one of the reasons I am tempted to get a 2nd hard O.E part.

Think a hub from Skoda was around £100 or so plus fitting. Needed the car that week so had to pay it. A proper 2nd hand would be a good option as it's just a case of swapping them over. Just make sure it's off a car that hasn't smashed a wheel that's all.

Just make sure it's off a car that hasn't smashed a wheel that's all.

Aye! Went through that saga with the mongrel during its conversion. Second hand hubs and one was bent off to one side due to being hit on the wheel.

I got a 2nd hand hub for £25 and bought a new bearing for £45 and when fitted the whole assembly. The thread for the caliper slide stripped in my old one hence why I had to replace it. If you are checking with any breakers ask if vehicle has abs and power steering, bearings are different.

As I have previously posted, bloke at 'Skospares' is helpful, knowledgeable, reasonably priced and prompt delivery.

As I have previously posted, bloke at 'Skospares' is helpful, knowledgeable, reasonably priced and prompt delivery.

+1

They are a few miles from me and the service is great.Very helpful

Change the hub. Difference in price is little and you know that the bearing has been pushed in properly. I did my two fronts a couple of months ago. Parts from ebay new. £100 the pair which includes new 32mm nuts. Easy to change - allow 4 hours per side though most people take less. May find ABS sensor has corroded into hub holder so lots of release fluid a day before. Need the splitter tool to release the downleg and new bolts for the lower arm attachment.

4 hours to change one wheel hub ? wtf.

I'll be letting a garage do the change as I have no bottom ball joint splitter etc. I'm sure a garage can have it done in well under 2 hours.

Getting a hub from a scrappy about 40 minutes drive away for £30 cash, so sorted on that front.

Hub spreader tool

8mm allen key ground down on two opposing sides insert into hub and rotate 90 degrees! Splits the hub!

Id say more like 60-90mins