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General >> Give/Need advice to/from others >> just another cautionary tale about wheel bearings
(Message started by: craig on Dec 14th, 2005, 3:52pm)

Title: just another cautionary tale about wheel bearings
Post by craig on Dec 14th, 2005, 3:52pm
on monday whilst driving to street in somerset,i approached a roundabout,all was clear so i continued around the roundabout to hear an almighty crack,and the car lurch over to the left hand side (knew exactly what had happened,as a very similar thing happened approx 9 months ago),managed to "limp" the car to a safe place to stop,rescued by the RAC,car taken to my usual garage in taunton,and issued with a courtesy car (brand new turbo diesel vauxhall vectra,very nice),anyway,bearing had collapsed "big time",taking with it the plate assembly flange,the hub it's self,carrier,disc and pads all scored to hell... >:( >:( >:(,all parts replaced (bearing obviously,discs and pads on both sides as well),just a little over £500.00 inclusive (this on top of my laptop packing up on me,although this has gone back for repair under warrenty).....

so do please try to check theses bearings on a regular basis for any signs of play or irregular noises,you might catch them in time,unlike me as i have now had both rears go on me with no warnings what so ever,and on this occasssion,i genuinely thought the wheel had come off this time,frightened the bl**dy life out of me. :'( :'( :'(

never mind though,christmas is just around the corner......apparently.... :o

Title: Re: just another cautionary tale about wheel beari
Post by mr._floppy on Dec 14th, 2005, 5:36pm
Bad luck mate,  my bearing was kind enough to  make a bit of noise to attract my attention that it was needing replaced,  just the bearing and hub carrier that needed attention.  
Is it the design of the assembly that's at fault or what?  I bet  if  this was a  volume  Ford  like  an   Escort in the past  or the  recent Mondeo  that  a  complete  recall   may  be  necesssary,  Watchdog  would have a field day!

Yep, it sure pays to  jack 'em up  regularly  to check for wobble.


Title: Re: just another cautionary tale about wheel beari
Post by Paul B on Dec 14th, 2005, 7:09pm

on 12/14/05 at 15:52:10, craig wrote:
(knew exactly what had happened,as a very similar thing happened approx 9 months ago


Was that on the same side again Craig?  ???

Glad you were only just pulling away though. This could have been very nasty  :o

Title: Re: just another cautionary tale about wheel beari
Post by Daven on Dec 14th, 2005, 7:22pm
Sorry to hear that mate - and this I read on the same night I was coming home wondering what the occasional clunk was from the rear end is (cars not mine!!)

Will have a good look in the morning methinks! Hope it's just something rolling about in the boot!

Good luck Craig ;)

Title: Re: just another cautionary tale about wheel beari
Post by craig on Dec 14th, 2005, 7:52pm

on 12/14/05 at 19:09:01, Paul B wrote:
Was that on the same side again Craig?  ???


hi paul,no drivers side went first,this time it was the passenger side.......

Title: Re: just another cautionary tale about wheel beari
Post by Simmo on Dec 15th, 2005, 6:48am
Craig, If I recall correctly there was advice in the past to re-check the torque on the hub nut after about 2 or 300 miles. I did mine once and by good fortune a while later had to check a tyre and found the nut had slackened off.Re-tightened and ok. You do need a large socket and a heavy duty torque wrench to get the appropriate pressure. Mine had been torqued up correctly on the first occasion.

Title: Re: just another cautionary tale about wheel beari
Post by - Mike - on Dec 15th, 2005, 7:56am
Crikey Craig  :o

Sorry to hear about this but glad everything is OK now, just what you don't need at anytime never mind at this time of the year  :'(

What sort of mileage are we looking at here Craig, how many miles had the car done before they went ???

Will definately now have to look up as to the correct and accurate way of checking them.

best wishes

Mike

Title: Re: just another cautionary tale about wheel beari
Post by craig on Dec 15th, 2005, 9:32am
mike...
my car is currently showing a true mileage of 87,000...
the first 1 went at 81,000 (off side),now the near side one went on monday..... :o :o..

simmo..
the garage did say to bring the car back to check it over after a week or so with the first one,and also with this one,and i would just like to point out that the garage i have used for nearly 10 years is in no way to blame,they are very,very efficient,i do how ever have a few "suspicions" that there might have been a design fault (possibly i hasten to add) as both sides have given up on me mow with no real warning,and on both times have shattered (garage has shown me both damaged bearings) and also on both occasions have also taken out the hub.... >:( >:( >:(........
however,yes this was very frustrating (and costly),but this is the only time the car has ever given me any real problems (routine servicing and maintenance excempt),so yes,frustrating,but still not a bad car.. ;) ;)

Title: Re: just another cautionary tale about wheel beari
Post by proberjohn on Dec 15th, 2005, 4:56pm
This is frightening me!!!

So much so that when I pulled out of a side street today (it's on a hill and the TC regulary kicks in when I pull out here) it must have been so oily that the back slid round and my first thought was "wheel bearing". :(

They're both still vertical and not noisy so I think it was just slippy :)

I'll have to jack the back up to look at the discs and pads soon so, as suggested, I'll see if there's any play on the hubs.

Every other wheel bearing I've had fail on other cars has droned for miles before getting changed out.

Title: Re: just another cautionary tale about wheel beari
Post by Highlander on Dec 15th, 2005, 5:06pm
Yep, me too, is it a different design or layout on the Scorpio that prevents the bearing making a noise when its wearing?

Title: Re: just another cautionary tale about wheel beari
Post by craig on Dec 15th, 2005, 7:39pm

on 12/15/05 at 16:56:57, proberjohn wrote:
Every other wheel bearing I've had fail on other cars has droned for miles before getting changed out.


me too,but this is what i am trying to warn people about,both mine went without any warning,shattering on both occassions...... >:( >:( >:(

dont get me wrong,i am in no way trying to "scare-monger" people into worrying about this,i am just saying what has happened to myself and several other members as well.........

at least you did get some kind of warning on the old granada.. :o

Title: Re: just another cautionary tale about wheel beari
Post by proberjohn on Dec 15th, 2005, 8:04pm
Don't worry Craig, it's taken as intended and worth the tip to check for play every now and again.  It's possible though that there are no signs of play before the races fail - now that is worrying ;-]

Title: Re: just another cautionary tale about wheel beari
Post by Paul B on Dec 15th, 2005, 8:44pm

on 12/15/05 at 20:04:51, proberjohn wrote:
 It's possible though that there are no signs of play before the races fail - now that is worrying ;-]


Very true. No play on mine but it still went.

That was after 76,000 ish miles.

They don't last long do they?

Title: Re: just another cautionary tale about wheel beari
Post by howiedintheplace on Dec 15th, 2005, 8:48pm
Very interestesting this.

Did you know that the low spec Scorpio bearing & bearing carrier has been fitted to the Sierra & the Mk3 Granada from as far back as 1982 & the 24V one started life on the Sierra 2wd Cossie in 86 & was also fitted to the Escort & Granada 24V?
Hub started life on the Mk2 Sierra?

So there must be a problem with the fitment to the Scorpio as the bearing, carrier & hub had proved itself before the Scorpio was even made, no real problems.

I reckon if you start looking at the wheel off sets on a Scorpio you will see the reason why as the further the load goes away from the bearing the more likley it is to fail.
That is why you have to be careful with aftermarket alloys ;)



Title: Re: just another cautionary tale about wheel beari
Post by Paul B on Dec 15th, 2005, 9:18pm

The plot thickens.......

;)

Title: Re: just another cautionary tale about wheel beari
Post by craig on Dec 16th, 2005, 4:19pm
tell you something though,that vectra was a nice car,but boy i am glad to have mine back,especially as now i can go back to singing and swaying to my cd's to my hearts content with no further embarassment because i am safely out of view behind the privacy windows.....
and todays choice was the latest 3 cd set of the "ultimate cheese party"....yes very cheesy,but every 1 a true sing a long classic... ;D ;D ;D.... :D :D :D (makes you feel old though  ;))

Title: Re: just another cautionary tale about wheel beari
Post by lonesomecajun on Dec 16th, 2005, 5:07pm
That's because you are Bloomin Old Mate -  ;)

The Captain will be in touch regarding your plans for a Scorpio / Vectra convention in the SouthWeset.

;D

Should have bought a 24v....

Title: Re: just another cautionary tale about wheel beari
Post by Baw_Flinger on Dec 16th, 2005, 10:58pm
I've just had my nearside rear done. Gave me some squeeling at the start of the week, that it went a bit grindy when slowing to a halt. Told the mechanic the bearing had gone and he gave me wrey look. Two hours later he called to say it was done and 'low and bebold' the bearing had gone. He managed to save the hub so the bill was not that big - £120

As the man says, dont mess about with these. Perhaps a preventative bearing change-out every 50-60K is in order? I know when it comes to my next service, I am gonna pay a bit extra to get the other side checked anyway

Title: Re: just another cautionary tale about wheel beari
Post by Art on Apr 12th, 2006, 11:30pm
Hi Craig    Im new to this fatastic site but have had the 1998 2.3 Ultima since May 1999. It has just done 81000. Ive just spent the evening reading the messages. Yours 14-12-05 is a nightmare to say the least. Reading all the replies, and thoughs regarding the reason for what I would say is a is a Latent Defect especially as it has happend to both rear bearings. My thoughs are that the Bearings possible came from a faulty batch. My car was registerd Feb 98. Paul B Reply 12 has a 98. do you know of any others with Ultima's built around this period with a bearing failure. My had its MOT in March, I wondered why the tester shook the living daylights out of the rear wheels. I must keep my eye on them from now on.

On a lighter note. Simmo reply 5 refers to a heavy duty Torque Wrench. In days gone by when wages were £15/Wk. Torque Wrenches Cost £45. My solution for tightening Hub nuts and still is. Say 150 Ft/Lb  I use a 6ft long 1/2" gas barrel and pull the tip with a Spring Balance. When 25lb is reached on the balance my nut is at 150ft/lbs. It is easer to pull 25lb than it is to apply 75lb to a 2ft long torque wrench. Use a socket and tommy bar through the gas barrel.

If a latent Defect can be established you may stand a chance of Ford paying for your repairs. Can any legal members investigate further?

Cheers Art  

Title: Re: just another cautionary tale about wheel beari
Post by tommy1340millar on Apr 13th, 2006, 2:04am
Hi Guys.
Just moving here after having had a sierra for the last 5 years.
Sierras with rear discs have the same wheel bearing problems.
I had no rumbling or grating, just started getting a sort of rear wheel steering effect. After jacking the car up the n/s rear wheel was really quite wobbly. I was wiser 2nd time around when the o/s bearing went.

Title: Re: just another cautionary tale about wheel beari
Post by tintin on Apr 13th, 2006, 11:15am
hmm, my cossie has 98k on the clock, have been thinking of getting the bearings done asap, not making any noise but not a big expense now.....

Title: Re: just another cautionary tale about wheel beari
Post by tony on Apr 13th, 2006, 11:29pm
Mine has 158k on the clock. Dont really know the previous history, but had to do the NSR last year, and the OSR droned all the way back from Liverpool - 280 miles, had no choice but to carry on - it's still droning now and will likely be changed this weekend.

I've never, ever known a car to consume wheel bearings in this way!!

Title: Re: just another cautionary tale about wheel beari
Post by invernessguy on Apr 14th, 2006, 12:55am
i had 2 bearings done for my mot this week... i had no knowledge that they were on the way out, but my mechanic said tha one would probably have collapsed with in a week, and the other had not much longer left

Like tony said, i have never known a car to eat bearings like this before, and also to give NO warning signs or noises before completely collapsing!!

donnie



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