Hi, new to the forum just bought a 70k 04 fabia VRS which has droning from front wheel bearings. Seems to be a common fault. Reasonably handy DIYer, and looking at YouTube and i'net seems to be conflicting opinions as to how easy it is. Has anyone changed them, is it a DIY job, are there an inner and outer race or is it as simple as changing the hub which appears to have the bearing attached, will I need a puller. Any ideas? Pictures would be appreciated

Hello and welcome!

 

Just remove the hub yourself and then get a garage to press out the old bearing and press in the new one. Won't cost you much, and you'll have saved all the other labour required to do the complete job!

 

So to remove the hub you need to remove the suspension strut, track rod end, ball joing, brake caliper and brake disc, and any other little gubbins (such as sensor wiring) that may be attached to the hub.

I did this last week. doesn't take long for someone competent to take the hub off. be careful with the abs sensor. if you try to remove the sensor itself it will save garage costs. however they can be a PITA sometimes. just keep soaking them with a penetrating lube or similar. (obviously with the disc off!)

 

I was lucky. mine came out in 2 minutes

 

good luck!

 

luke

Be very careful if using a press. workshop procedure is you use a puller tool. If you do use a press make sure when pressing the bearing in you dont press down through the hub into the bearing. Only press on the bearing itself or you will be putting the loading though the bearing which will lead to premature failure.

You're supposed to use a specific puller kit as it locates on the inner race and not the outer. The link below is the correct way to do it, as stated above, just using a normal press is likely to damage the bearing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M69uwMLib80

 

Day

Edited 4 October, 201312 yr by Day-VRS

Thanks for all replies, think ill take the hubs off and get the garage to press out the old and push in the new. Thanks again