9.2 - Wheel Bearing Check and Adjustment ( ,  )

A quick check can be made with the appropriate wheel jacked off the ground. There should be no movement with the wheel grasped horizontally, but a small degree of movement appears normal with the wheel grasped vertically.

A loose or tight bearing will wear more rapidly than a correctly adjusted one. A loose bearing will also cause a degree of wander and sloppiness in the steering.

To adjust the bearing, remove the wheel and prise off the protective centre cap with a screwdriver. Straighten the bent ends of the cotter pin and remove using a pair of long nose pliers. The pin can be reused provided it is not obviously weakened.

Remove the locknut, nut and washer from the spindle. Pull the hub out slightly to move the outer bearing on the spindle.

Gently push the hub back and refit the washer and nut. Initially only hand tighten the nut. Fit a torque wrench and rotate the wheel in the forward direction whilst gradually tightening to 20lb ft.

Now loosen the nut a quarter turn and retighten by hand. Only use a socket to tighten a fraction more if necessary in order to be able to refit the locking nut and cotter pin.

Bend the ends of the cotter pin to lock it in place, then refit the centre dust cap