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Wheel Bearings....Lets talk serious.

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 15:06
by Russ Kellermann
Hey chaps.

Few questions here:

1) How often do you ACTUALLY repack bearing grease (Ps:i know what the manual says)
2) How often do you replace wheel bearing?
3) Have you truly trusted the Nissan Technician to do this correctly?
4) Dis the Nissan Technician execute this correctly?
5) Should i rather repack it myself? (i do enjoy mechanics and im normally of the mindset that if someone else can do it i can too)
6) What kind of costs are involved (using genuine parts)
7)how can i check if my bearing are in need of grease repacking / if they are stuffed.

Russ.

Re: Wheel Bearings....Lets talk serious.

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 15:22
by Tinus lotz
Russ
Piet is not on the internet today I think he has done 2 or 3 times and some was never been open before ........
I am a firm believer of what the manual says
We also need to take what it gets used for
When me and Piet had problems with a friends fan in savuti the macanic there said they don't have a lot of problems with fans but the cruiser weelbearings needs reaplacing every 3 months or so even though they pack them every month
I think it is beacouse of all the watercrossings ect?
:think: :think: :think:

Re: Wheel Bearings....Lets talk serious.

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 15:29
by Russ Kellermann
Yes, water not good for that, along with dust etc. And with all the grasses and wire etc seals can get ripped easily enough and compromise the assembly i guess.

I've got no problem re-packing as per manual, but Nissan has not done this as per my manual. Which infuriates me. Its in black and white, its their product. My guess is that the Nissan Mechanics at my Dealership would have never seen a wheel bearing from a patrol in their entire life, and all he's gonna do is just "wing-it". re-torqing to spec etc is not something i trust would be done correctly. your thoughts?

Ps: What grease should one use to re-pack (please dont say wheelbrearing grease - im talking brand names here.)

Re: Wheel Bearings....Lets talk serious.

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 15:31
by Grant
Hi Russ,

I have mine repaced every 30 k km and replaced if needed. Extra checks before long trip.

Re: Wheel Bearings....Lets talk serious.

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 15:38
by Russ Kellermann
Hi grant.

Thats even earlier than the manual dictates, but then again you use your vehicle almost exclusively offroad if i remember? Do you use Nissan Genuine parts? and who does the service for you ?

Ps: Im thinking about rather taking my truck to JB's Auto here (cruiser Whisperer Johan Meyer) , as i believe he would do a better job than the Dealership. Only thing though is that i heard the cruiser bearings need twice as much re-torque, is there anyone that can confirm the similarities or differences between Cruiser and Patrol, it would make it easier for me / him.

Re: Wheel Bearings....Lets talk serious.

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 16:03
by Tinus lotz
Russ
The manual says service every 40000 km that means new grease. And re tension
With my muddies n balance and rotate my tires every 5000 when the patrol is on the weel alanment machine it is very easy to pick up play on a bearing the manual also says that one must use litium soap grease u need to replace the seal to do the bearing
I spoke to Piet and he says the GQ and GU are the same exsept if you have got auto hubs but bearings seals ect is the same
If you get the spanner from Piet I can't see why can't do it yourself?
I use graham cumming for all services. On my patrol but like to do most things myself
I also have mr connan as backup :rolling:

Re: Wheel Bearings....Lets talk serious.

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 17:17
by Dr Chris
Hi Russ et al,
Thanks for bringing this point up - it is a very real and sigficant point, and it will definitely be part of my strategy (each to his own obviously) to check and replace on my patrol every 50,000 km from now on. Water from Kozi and Jozini plus all the inland boat trips to Albert Falls, Inanda etc., as well, and the boat is heavy (21' Baronet), so to launch I get right into the water. Off road is not part of my ritual at present
Some months ago, Grootseun helped me to organise a plan with the Patrol, taking into account who to use, when and why, and this is now in effect starting to happen. The bearings are another addition to the inventory.
I cannot afford a replacement (Patrol) any longer, and will have to nurse this one till I drop! And it is worth everything to me, but my better half comes a close second,I suppose.
Nice one Russ, I hope it continues, and with Peter's spanner, it will be so much easier now.
Regards, Chris.

Re: Wheel Bearings....Lets talk serious.

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 17:45
by Tinus lotz
guys
the drain plugs on our patrols are a very important part of maintenance . i also use my patrollie to put boats in the water etc. when u worry about if your wheel bearings, and if you went in to deep or when u wade a river or 2 open the drain plugs poke the gries with a wire and look for water in there .
if water is present you need to check seals and replace gries.
my 4.8 has been past the bearings mabe 20 times and has never spotted a drop in there .but i only have 140000 km on it so most seals are still new :think: :think: :think:
when water is present i do not think it is good to only check every 50000 or so :mytwocents:

Re: Wheel Bearings....Lets talk serious.

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 18:03
by Dr Chris
Hi Tinus,
You see how discussion is so important, and thanks for the advice - I learn every day!
To add to the point then, maybe we should then set a definitive duration for those of us who are more exposed to water, than dust/sand etc.?
By setting up a guideline (e.g. 30,000 km?) for the diff etc., I learn again! It will all go into my inventory now!
Great!
Regards, Chris.

Re: Wheel Bearings....Lets talk serious.

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 18:09
by Russ Kellermann
Yes, in my opinion the Preventative Maintenance regime will cost less over a set period of time (ie:10 - 15 years), than if we wait till things are stuffed. Its also safer and you have less chance of having you and your family stranded far from home. Also, the more we learn here the more we can do it ourselves at home, and even out in the bush should the worst happen.