mark w
07-31-2026, 12:15 AM
For some time, I have had some minor play in my front wheel bearings.
Several years ago I replaced the original front wheel bearings (around 15-16K miles) with replacements- branded SNR.
the driver side has some play afterwards. I later replaced that bearing with a german made FAG NOS bearing thinking it would be better quality, when I refinished my whole frame in 2024.
I drove on that bearing for sometime- a few years- and until recently, it seemed ok.
I did a 3 hour drive the other day- early June- to a car show. it was hot. about 30 minutes from my destination- and the front left wheel was making odd noises under braking and turning,
I diagnosed this later that night as a bad bearing, after jacking up the car and pulling the wheel off in a restaurant parking lot.
I got to my show and the next day a local DMC buddy VWDMC rescued me and brought over a whole other hub and bearing to swap in, again in the parking lot.
I got home no issue with that hub and bearing.
I replaced both front wheel bearing with SKFs - found the Germany made FAG bearing in the LF- which surprised me that it had failed.
But I could not find anything wrong with with the FAG after removal.
but no matter what combination of bearings or hubs (left right swap) I could not resolve the play. it remained- the LF just a bit worse that the RF.
The only thing it could be- the hubs. weird, but possible.
so I replaced both hubs with NOS parts from DMCH, reinstalled the SKF bearings- and No play! Yay.
So- it seems that- the hubs got damaged from too many times installing/reinstalling the bearings(?), and the whole bearing was moving in the hub. I didnt think that was possible, considering the bearing has to be pressed in.
either way its solved now, Just wanted to share if others have this issue now or in the future.
I also replaced the larger washer pt 110580 and the large axle nut pt 110191 for good measure. the front axle nut is now the larger 36mm one that was superceeded by the factory in late 81- my car was still running the smaller 32mm nut.
Several years ago I replaced the original front wheel bearings (around 15-16K miles) with replacements- branded SNR.
the driver side has some play afterwards. I later replaced that bearing with a german made FAG NOS bearing thinking it would be better quality, when I refinished my whole frame in 2024.
I drove on that bearing for sometime- a few years- and until recently, it seemed ok.
I did a 3 hour drive the other day- early June- to a car show. it was hot. about 30 minutes from my destination- and the front left wheel was making odd noises under braking and turning,
I diagnosed this later that night as a bad bearing, after jacking up the car and pulling the wheel off in a restaurant parking lot.
I got to my show and the next day a local DMC buddy VWDMC rescued me and brought over a whole other hub and bearing to swap in, again in the parking lot.
I got home no issue with that hub and bearing.
I replaced both front wheel bearing with SKFs - found the Germany made FAG bearing in the LF- which surprised me that it had failed.
But I could not find anything wrong with with the FAG after removal.
but no matter what combination of bearings or hubs (left right swap) I could not resolve the play. it remained- the LF just a bit worse that the RF.
The only thing it could be- the hubs. weird, but possible.
so I replaced both hubs with NOS parts from DMCH, reinstalled the SKF bearings- and No play! Yay.
So- it seems that- the hubs got damaged from too many times installing/reinstalling the bearings(?), and the whole bearing was moving in the hub. I didnt think that was possible, considering the bearing has to be pressed in.
either way its solved now, Just wanted to share if others have this issue now or in the future.
I also replaced the larger washer pt 110580 and the large axle nut pt 110191 for good measure. the front axle nut is now the larger 36mm one that was superceeded by the factory in late 81- my car was still running the smaller 32mm nut.