Front right hand side wheel Bearing Citroen c5 2004 - 2008

[Gazzaman22]

Hi Guys

VIN is VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]********

Got a whirring noise coming from the old lady.
Has anybody completed a wheel bearing DIY job them selves or seen any post on what to do?

Gary

[RichardW]

It's not such a bad job if you're reasonably well equipped. You need either a press or a threaded puller to get the bearing in and out (e.g. e-bay). I think these use mag tracks in the bearings for the ABS sensors, so make sure you get the right bearing, and fit it the right way round! Only buy SKF or SNR bearings - anything else will not last. The procedure is:

Remove hub from car (35mm socket and breaker bar required for hub nut!)
Remove ABS sensor - if it's like the ones I've done with the tracks in the bearings and the sensor bolted to the back of the hub, apply some release agent to the hole in the front of the hub, and then apply some heat before trying to remove the bolt, or it will just snap off (easy to drill out and replace with a through bolt however).
Remove the hub by driving it out from the back using a socket of the right diameter to bear on the back of the flange
Remove (!?!) the circlip from the back of the bearing - this is where the fun starts as they are often well rusted in. Worry at one end of the clip till it starts to move and you can get a screwdriver in behind it. Once you have got this far you can then drive the screw driver round the hub behind the clip to pull it out.
Remove the old bearing - fit the tool and pull it up tight, then support the hub on a couple of blocks of wood, then belt the end of the tool hard a few times, this will start the bearing moving - I found I couldn't get enough pull on the tool to start the bearing. Once it is moving pull it out - if you mount the end of the tool in the vice you can use a ratchet on the other end to pull it. It requires a lot of hard work to get it out!!
Clean and oil the hub carrier and fit the new bearing - use the outer shell from the old bearing as a mandrel to pull it in.
Carefully cut a slot in the outer race of the old bearing, which will still be attached to the hub, with a grinder, and then whack it with a cold chisel to break it, you can then slide it off the hub.
Refit the hub to the bearing, use the largest washer on the back of the bearing you can to avoid damaging it, and pull it in with the tool.
Fit the new circlip
Re fit the ABS sensor, then reassemble the hub onto the car.

[moizeau]

I've done both in the last couple of years on the BX and the 406. The former being the easiest due to not fighting the sprung suspension. On the 406 the ABS sensor and the spinning track rod end were the worst part. I did however cheat once the hub was removed and took it to a local mechanic who has a 10 tonne press. After seeing the press hit it's limit getting the bearing started (though he didn't use a hotplate) I'm glad I did. It saved lots of unsavoury words and blood. If you know someone with a press I would advise this route. 15 mins, job done. If not see if you can make up a hotplate...barbecue and a piece of steel? Best of luck

[Peter.N.]

If its a taper bearing, and I can't remember if it is, an easy way to remove the bearing outer is to run a ring of weld round the inside, when it cools the bearing will have shrunk and you can usually get it out with a couple of screwdrivers. If you have a welder of course.

Peter

[GiveMeABreak]

Hi Guys

VIN is VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]********

Got a whirring noise coming from the old lady.
Has anybody completed a wheel bearing DIY job them selves or seen any post on what to do?

Gary

Just to protect your VIN this vehicle is a:
C5 II 5 DOOR SALOON 1.6 HDi 110 particle emission filter (DV6TED4) Manual gearbox 5

[Gazzaman22]

Cheers all

Think i'll give it to the mechanic.... Thought it might be an easier job than it sounds....
Thanks all

[Gazzaman22]

So what happen if i drive around on it for a while before getting it changed????

[GiveMeABreak]

Well don't forget that a bad one will cause wheel wobble, grinding noises, uneven tyre wear and steering control issues - so I wouldn't leave it too long at all to be honest. All it will take is a couple of pot holes ....

[Peter.N.]

I have had noisy bearings for many thousands of miles, so much so that I don't take much notice of them unless they are really loud, although possible its unlikely that one will fail if its got grease in it.

Peter

[moizeau]

If it's just run a bit dry (sounds like a bomber plane and is usually worse when turning left or right at moderate speed) it could last months, if there's play then possibly hours! Follow Marc's advice and get it done as soon as possible. Do the monkey work yourself to remove and refit and give it to the mechanic to press the bearing in and out. It could save you £50 to £100 if he finds a bit of the job that should take him 5 mins but lasts an hour.