crunch, crunch

[Blatant]

Since I got my disco, it's had a peculiar crunching, occasional groaning noise from the front passenger hub. Since I'm wrapping up my lift install, I decided to go ahead and dig in to see if I could find the problem.

What I'd hoped to find were bad hub bearings. Alas, when I pulled the hub, aside from a slightly dented cage on the outer bearing, they seem fine. OK. Never had a Rover axle apart but I've built several Dana and Toyota axles and it seemed normal.

Pulled the spindle, starting extracting the axle shaft -- which appears markedly similar to the birfield joints in my Toy rockcrawler -- and a whole assload of needle bearings fall out of the swivel ball. Well, there's my problem. I'm looking at the birfield joint, though, and aside from being filthy, it's in one piece and functional.

So, I'm thinking, "where the hell did these needle bearing come from?" Then it dawns on me to check the spindle. Sure enough, the bearing cage is in there, but trashed. Figures. Spindle bearings are the biggest pain in the arse to change.

Anyhoo, just something extra to check for if you have weird hub noises. Anyone happen to have a cross-reference spindle bearing number so I don't have to go to the dealer?
dion

 

[rovercanus]

search,search
http://www.discoweb.org/forums/showthread.php?t=6471

 

[billb]

Umm - he's looking for the internal spindle bearing - read his post.



Blatant - I've never found a generic bearing to fit that (no that it doesn't exist) - but it's a cheap item at the dealer or Rover parts dealer.

Real easy to replace also as long as you have an internal bearing puller or slide hammer. Take out the axle shaft oil seal (and throw away IMO) - then pull out remains of old bearing and tap new one in with an appropriate sized socket.

Not includuing time to take off the stub shaft, it should only take you about 10 minutes.

Bill



PS - some folks just replace with a solid bronze bushing also

 

[rovercanus]

Umm - he's looking for the internal spindle bearing - read his post.

Umm-I read his post. http://www.timken.com/industries/automotive/autoaftermarket/timkencatalog/PartCatalog.aspx

 

[Blatant]

Walter: I know how to search, thanks. It was more of a rhetorical question as the Timken resource has no specific cross-reference to a spindle bearing.

Bill: Thanks, man. I have a lot of experience changing spindle bearings in other axles. Unfortunately, I don't have a slide hammer. I usually hammer them out with a sledge and an angled punch. With the angles on the LR spindle, doesn't look possible and I doubt my seal puller will do the trick.
d

 

[billb]

If you have just a small internal ( or reversible) two jaw gear puller - that will do it also. You're right though I don't think you can punch it out from the opposite side.

Some come out real easy - some less so - you just never know. Almost always they come out in good enough shape to use again. Obviously this does not apply to your case - but I just use it as an example of the fact that it doesn't take much force to pull them.

Good Luck
Bill

 

[marc olivares]

blatant

i've gotten them apart with a long cylindrical punch and a hammer too
just be careful not to mar the inner surface and you should be good

oh and like Bill suggests, get a new seal too.

best of luck

 

[marc olivares]

oh and walt is right (though maybe not as diplomatic as he could be)
do a search next time first
in less then a minute i found these:

RND671 stub axle w/ abs $4.22
RNH018 front spindle bearing Def 90,r/rover, disco $12.95

roversnorth.com

 

[rovercanus]

oh and walt is right (though maybe not as diplomatic as he could be)
do a search next time first
in less then a minute i found these:

RND671 stub axle w/ abs $4.22
RNH018 front spindle bearing Def 90,r/rover, disco $12.95

roversnorth.com

That was nice, for me. I'm an asshole.

 

[Blatant]

Marc: Thanks. Of course, my first call to my local dealer parts counter was, uh, less than encouraging. Poor guy didn't even know what a spindle was. Once I explained it, he said he'd have to order it.

My obvious problem is I'd like to get this thing buttoned up over the weekend, so I'd prefer not to order.

I'm trying to get a variety of parts numbers or applications I can take to Napa to cross. The roversnorth site lists that part as a D90/RR part, though it's on the Disco 1 page. I'll have the Napa folks cross to a different model.
d

 

[marc olivares]

dion,

the 90/rrc/disco part is all the same. for many years they all used the same axle etc...


walt, i wouldn't go so far as "asshole"
just to the point

 

[rovercanus]

walt, i wouldn't go so far as "asshole"
just to the point

No, no, I think asshole about covers it.

 

[billb]

Actually - I suggest getting rid of that oil seal alltogther - IMO no need for them - run the hubs wet!

Bill

 

[Blatant]

Napa can't cross-ref the spindle bearing. I managed to get the old cage out intact with a slide hammer, but it has NO numbers on it, either. Kinda stumped. I may take it to a local bearing house tomorrow to see if they can match it size-wise. Otherwise I'll just have to order a couple on Monday. Sucks because I wanted to get this thing wrapped up this weekend. Ah, well ...
d

 

[ShaunP]

I know it doesn't help you much but M.R automotive in Brisbane Australia have them cause I got on of them the other day, I had to change a spindal on a car because the wheel bearings had spun on it. I don't think the bearing was expensive. Maybe they would post you one if your stuck. Pre 93 cars have a bronze bush. MR auto's email is, mrauto@oznetcom.com.au, Dwane is the spare part guy, nice guys, cheap OEM parts.

 

[Blatant]

Additional tech, if this ever comes up again. Spindle bearing part number: HK4016.

I ended up ordering a couple. Not a single parts warehouse or bearings dealer in the entire Phoenix metro area had one of these bearings in stock.
d