Wheel Bearing Question

[cadfaeltex]

When I got new tires on, one of the things they mentioned
wrong was that the wheel bearings were starting to have some
play. I have two questions (possibly) related to this:

1) never done or seen done replacing wheel bearings, what
all is involved on doing it (fronts especially) on the XJS?

2) Still have an occasional creak/squeak/clunk that sounds
like it is coming from the front left wheel - especially
when making a low speed turn in either direction. What part
of the suspension/steering should I look at?

 

[55Test]

Well, for number 2, I think you should have your balljoints looked at. Ive had vehicles in the past make groaning sounds when turning, and the balljoints were bone dry on them. Then again, my cars were beaters anyways.

 

[scott37300]

Depends on if they are press in or bolt on. Press in are a little work and you need some special tools to get the hub out, bearing race off, and to press the old bearing out and new in. If it's a bolt on they are pretty easy and not really any special tools to deal with. There are a bunch of videos on youtube about wheel bearings.

Little more info on your vehicle and you can check rockauto or other places to see a picture of the bearing and tell if it's a press or bolt one.

 

[scurvy]

I've done press in bearings on my cars with the FWD bearing kit from HF, a rented slide hammer from Autozone, cutoff wheels on a Dremel & a few hours one afternoon. Not a bad project, but definitely more work than bolt-in wheel bearings.

Your squeak may be a strut top bushing gone bad if the XJS is so equipped. I've had this problem on my Golf's front MacPherson struts about 100k km ago (and it's just gone bad again, so I'll have to redo it 'soon') and replacing the mounts & bearings made it like new again.

To check, open the hood with the engine running and get someone to turn the steering wheel lock to lock. If MacPherson struts you'll see the top of the strut not move, then clunk as it moves... pause... clunk... pause... clunk.

 

[mechtech2]

1 Get a manual, if specifics are valuable to you.
2 Probably ball joint, but anything in the suspension that rotates while the steering wheel is turning can be faulty.

 

[mattd]

Not sure on XJS, but they may be adjustable, similar to for 2wd trucks. If that is the case, 5-10 minute job to do both sides. If not adjustable, then hub replacement is required.