Automobile Operation: Disassembling and Reassembling Wheel Hubs

 

 

It is an operation that is done periodically, in the maintaining of the hubs or when service to the brakes, suspension or steering is to be done. It consists of removing the hubs from the vehicle to check their physical state and that of their components and to be able to replace them in good working condition.

 

 

METHOD OF EXECUTION

 

TO DISASSEMBLE WHEEL HUBS

 

1st Step - Lift the vehicle and place it on dumb jacks.

2nd Step - Remove the wheels.

3rd Step - Remove the wheel hub from the spindle, thus:-

a) Remove the grease cap, split pin and nut from the end of the spindle.

b) Pull the drum, approximately 2 cms. outwards, then push it back inwards and remove the washer and the outer bearing of the hub. (fig. 1)

c) Remove the hub and place it on the work bench.

 

OBSERVATION

Avoid dropping the bearings or interchanging them.

 

4th Step -Dismantle the components of the hubs, thus:

a) Remove the seal and inner bearing of the hub (fig. 2).

b) Remove the bearing races, using a bronze drift punch.

 

OBSERVATION

Hit each side of the bearing race alternately so that it comes out straight and does not damage the seating.

 

 

5th Step - Clean the parts, thus: -

 

a) Wash the parts with a solvent and a brush.

b) Dry the parts with compressed air.

 

OBSERVATION

Do not spin the bearings so as to avoid damage.

 

 

TO REASSEMBLE WHEEL HUBS

 

1st Step - Inspect the parts, thus:-

 

a) Check visually, that the bearing races are not broken or chipped on their rolling surfaces.

b) Make sure that the rollers are not chipped and that the bearing cage is not broken.

c) Check the threads of the wheel studs.

d) Make sure that the hub does not have distortions, cracks or fractures.

e) Check the groove of the axle head, the bearing races and the seal.

f) Check the nut of the axle head and the grease cap.

 

 

2nd Step - Re-assemble the parts of the bearings, thus:-

a)     Install the bearing races with the aid of a bronze drift punch.

a)

OBSERVATION

Make sure that the race enters straight.

b) Lubricate the bearings.

 

OBSERVATION

Use the specified grease.

c) Replace the inner bearing F'9 3 onto the race and replace the seal. (fig. 3).

 

OBSERVATION

Make sure that the seal is correctly replaced and that it is not deformed.

 

 

3rd Step - Replace the wheel hub onto the spindle thus: -

 

a)     Replace the hub and the outer bearing on the spindle.

b)     Replace the washer and the nut, and preload the bearings.

c)     Replace the split pin and the grease cap.

 

4th Step - Replace the wheels.

5th Step - Lower the vehicle.