Wheel Bearing Woes

[Pinchcliff]

Hi, I've recently bought a 2004 Hymer B654 sitting on a Fiat Ducato platform, it currently in a garage getting some service work done including replacement of both front wheel bearings (very noisy). Drivers side completed without any problem but the near side has turned into a bit of a nightmare. The bearing had basically collapsed, it's also proved to be virtually impossible to press out of the hub despite having had a 60t press on it. The mechanic states I need a new hub, he states it'll be £1200 with a 30 day lead time from Fiat!
I've looked on the internet and there appears to be better options, although not sure how to establish that the parts advertised are correct for my van. Any thoughts or advice on a good parts supplier would be gratefully received.

 

[Gellyneck]

Maybe try Coastal Motorhomes

Motorhome & Commercial Vehicle Parts and Spares Retailer

coastalmotorhomes.co.uk

 

[gus-lopez]

The mechanic states I need a new hub, he states it'll be £1200 with a 30 day lead time from Fiat!

Tell him to find one at a scrapyard.

 

[bigtree]

Hi, I've recently bought a 2004 Hymer B654 sitting on a Fiat Ducato platform, it currently in a garage getting some service work done including replacement of both front wheel bearings (very noisy). Drivers side completed without any problem but the near side has turned into a bit of a nightmare. The bearing had basically collapsed, it's also proved to be virtually impossible to press out of the hub despite having had a 60t press on it. The mechanic states I need a new hub, he states it'll be £1200 with a 30 day lead time from Fiat!
I've looked on the internet and there appears to be better options, although not sure how to establish that the parts advertised are correct for my van. Any thoughts or advice on a good parts supplier would be gratefully received.

Carefully grind the bearing down at two points and that will collapse it enough to press out easier.

 

[Eggs]

Carefully grind the bearing down at two points and that will collapse it enough to press out easier.

Yep, I had to do this on my work van.

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[Sapper520]

A mechanic could do that, but could a fitter?

 

[bigtree]

A mechanic could do that, but could a fitter?

I was a maintenance electrician and I could do it.

 

[Catpirate]

Where are you? I am in leicestershire and these guys specialise in fiat ducato. Ratcliffe light commercials tel 01509815805. They are a breakers and srr very helpful .

 

[Pinchcliff]

I'm in Whitley Bay (Nr Newcastle) so bit far away, thanks for the thought anyway.

 

[Catpirate]

Ps I needed a flywheel recently and fiat quoted £650 (with no delivery date) plus another £100 for the bolts. Ratcliffe sold me a perfect one including bolts for £60

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[andy63]

Any thoughts or advice on a good parts supplier would be gratefully received

I nearly lost the will to live doing a transit front wheel bearing..
In the end it was an angle grinder job... with care it can be done and its what the garage said they resorted to quite often..
But I suppose that takes them more time and easier to tell you you need a new hub assembly...
Andy

 

[Pinchcliff]

Do they post?

 

[Catpirate]

Not sure, give them a ring. The guy above who used an angle grinder is a common solution. Taking care not to damage the stub axle, most bearing races are brittle and a cut into the race can then be hit by a chisel to break it off. Keep the bearing parts and take them to a local bearing supplier, they will normally be able to supply a new bearing. Some bearongs are interference fit and require heating before removal. I have never lost the battle of the bearings lol.

 

[Itsmcb]

A lot of busy garages don't seem to want to spend any time repairing older vehicles and certainly won't fit second hand parts. My daughter's 06 plate fiesta failed it's not at my usual garage. The advice, scrap it, a new subframe is over a £1000 from ford plus all the work to swap it. I took it to a local old school back street mechanic and he sourced a replacement from a scrapyard and swapped it over. Total £350 including new brake linings too. It's passed a few more Mots since.
Persevere, there's usually a way

 

[Badknee]

Keep the bearing parts and take them to a local bearing supplier, they will normally be able to supply a new bearing

As above, it not a Fiat Ducato wheel bearing. It’s a xxxmm x xxmm bearing that fits into a Ducato hub.
good luck

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[bigtree]

Not sure, give them a ring. The guy above who used an angle grinder is a common solution. Taking care not to damage the stub axle, most bearing races are brittle and a cut into the race can then be hit by a chisel to break it off. Keep the bearing parts and take them to a local bearing supplier, they will normally be able to supply a new bearing. Some bearongs are interference fit and require heating before removal. I have never lost the battle of the bearings lol.

In where I worked they froze the kingpins so that they were easier to fit.

 

[Catpirate]

Kingpins.......was it a Morris Minor....

 

[Wagoneer]

Also, keep an eye on the rear wheel bearings. Had the front wheel bearings replaced on my Fiat Hymer 544 at 40k miles. Rear wheel bearings shortly afterwards. Seems to be a common ocurrence on that chassis.

 

[Ivory55]

Tell him to find one at a scrapyard.

To be fair it’s not his problem. He has offered a solution it’s up them if they like it . If they spend time etc searching scrap yards what would they charge, could be more than a new one. No point working for nothing. It’s better to do one well paying job than 5 break even jobs.

 

[Hettie's Crew]

Carefully grind the bearing down at two points and that will collapse it enough to press out easier.

If they haven’t already damaged the hub on their 60t press.

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[ivorantony]

Morris minors had trunnions and not kingpins

 

[bigtree]

Kingpins.......was it a Morris Minor....

I’m not that old.

 

[Catpirate]

I stand corrected

 

[Pinchcliff]

Well....rang Fiat, they want over £1300 for the hub and bearing carrier. As recommended by Gellyneck above I rang Coastal Motorhomes, they couldn't have been more helpful, both parts in stock, next day delivery £135. Hopefully get the van back later this week.

 

[Catpirate]

Thats a lot better, you must be so relieved

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[gus-lopez]

A lot of busy garages don't seem to want to spend any time repairing older vehicles and certainly won't fit second hand parts.

here everyone uses them including main dealers.

If they spend time etc searching scrap yards what would they charge, could be more than a new one.

True but here you just ring the first scrapyard if they have't got one they will normally ring around to get one for you. We've 4 local yards. Failing that you ring these

https://www.desguaceparis.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI89LG54f38wIVlIODBx0nkgcWEAAYASAAEgJfmPD_BwE
or fill in online form for what you want ,price including delivery by return & delivered within 48 hours. Colossal place with over 7k vehicles all racked on the road to Albacete. online sales 60/40 garages & private.Everything guaranteed. Garages just ring & order what they want same as they would new but at 20% of the price & 2 day delivery.

 

[Catpirate]

That is how it should be, recycling and re using

 

[Ivory55]

here everyone uses them including main dealers.

True but here you just ring the first scrapyard if they have't got one they will normally ring around to get one for you. We've 4 local yards. Failing that you ring these

https://www.desguaceparis.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI89LG54f38wIVlIODBx0nkgcWEAAYASAAEgJfmPD_BwE
or fill in online form for what you want ,price including delivery by return & delivered within 48 hours. Colossal place with over 7k vehicles all racked on the road to Albacete. online sales 60/40 garages & private.Everything guaranteed. Garages just ring & order what they want same as they would new but at 20% of the price & 2 day delivery.

Personally if it was me it would be this is it if you can do better do it yourself or take elsewhere. I would not mess about. I wonder how many pie crust promises they have heard in the past, we will give you all our work etc. No bird in the hand is better than 2 in the bush.

 

[Manic]

Well....rang Fiat, they want over £1300 for the hub and bearing carrier. As recommended by Gellyneck above I rang Coastal Motorhomes, they couldn't have been more helpful, both parts in stock, next day delivery £135. Hopefully get the van back later this week.

I think Coastal give funster discount

 

[Pinchcliff]

Went to pick up the van today after the wheel bearings and one bearing carrier + hub replaced, the garage had also been doing bodywork repairs following a botched repair carried out in the past on the rear panel. I left the garage only to discover I had no indicators so obviously returned. He stated the electrics to the rear of the van are in a shocking state but it was working during test drive. he removed a few bits from the rear to reveal another total botch job. let's just say it was not a pretty sight. Van back with him now, he's hopeful that he can get this sorted tomorrow.
I bought this van around 9 weeks ago, can't help feeling worried!

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