Front Wheel Bearing Adjustment

[Ron Egan]

When the PPI was done on my 911, the mechanic stated that the front wheel bearings were loose and needed to be adjusted. Is this a fairly easy fix ? Any words of wisdom before I attempt this ?

Thanks,

Ron

[CRH911S]

This issue should be resolved prior to purchase.

[kstylianos]

Ron,

Easy, just performed this last night.

1) jack the front end up to lift front wheels off the ground.

2) grab the wheel at the 12-6 and 3-9 o-clock positions and try to wiggle it. If the bearing are loose, you will feel definite play...kind of like a click-click. The more play in the bearing, the more noticible the play/click-click.

3) remove wheel and the dust cover. The dust cover is tricky, grab with a large set of pliers and pull/wiggle...it will come out.

4) loosen the bearing retainer nut w/ an allen head wrench. You should now be able to screw/unscrew nut from spindle.

5) tighten nut onto onto bearing thrust washer (thrust washer is just behind the bearing retaining nut) until you can just move thrust washer w/ the tip of a screw driver.

6) tighten allen head screw to secure nut. Replace wheel. Repeat wheel wiggle test.

7) if loose, repeat steps 4-6 until wheel has no play. Make sure bearing reatiner nut it not too tight....There is a fine line between just right and too tight.

8) once you pass wheel wiggle test, remove wheel again. Torque allen retaining screw to 11ft. lbs. Replace dust seal, replace wheel, tighten lugs to 96 ft. lbs.

9) repeat other side.

-Charlie

[dtfastbear]

It's probably a good idea to remove the bearings, clean off the grease and inspect them instead of simply tightening if you don't know how long they have been loose. If the car is run for a long time with loose bearings, the bearings themselves can become damaged.

It's a good excuse to repack the bearings, anyway! And this process is easier, more fun and much messier than it sounds...

Dean

[APKhaos]

When adjusting the nut, think of the thrust washer as a feeler gauge - tweek the nut until you can just move the washer with a screwdriver. It should be firm - not loose, and not so tight that the washer is clamped down hard.

And repack the bearings, although you are only able to do the outer bearing without removing the caliper, then the hub, to expose all of the spindle.

[old seventy six]

This is so much easier than it sounds in a written description, but it's great if someone can show you the first time.