Wheel Bearing Issues

[jjaynes]

I have been having lots of trouble with the front drivers wheel in my '93 festiva. I changed the bearing once and a week later the bearing literally disintegrated while I was driving. So I changed it again and now I think it has come out again. My wheel makes a bad whining noise when I go above about 45 mph and only when I turn right. The mechanic I had fix it said he was concerned because there was no retaining clip. Anybody had a problem with wheel bearings or have any tips on how to fix them?

[Team Lightning]

Did you put the spacers back in the correct hub? What did you torque the hub nuts to?

[Eaglefreek]

Sounds like you need a new "mechanic".

[Louieisawsome]

No it is a crush nut no retaining clip needed this guy has no idea what he's doing.

[Studebaker]

Use the best bearing you can buy

[rap]

Check if correct axle grease was used. Regular chassis grease [out of a grease gun] will "chew up" wheel bearings in a few K miles.

[ryanprins13]

Use the best bearing you can buy

What do you recommend?

Check if correct axle grease was used. Regular chassis grease [out of a grease gun] will "chew up" wheel bearings in a few K miles.

What grease do you use/reccomend?

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[ryanprins13]

I have been having lots of trouble with the front drivers wheel in my '93 festiva. I changed the bearing once and a week later the bearing literally disintegrated while I was driving. So I changed it again and now I think it has come out again. My wheel makes a bad whining noise when I go above about 45 mph and only when I turn right. The mechanic I had fix it said he was concerned because there was no retaining clip. Anybody had a problem with wheel bearings or have any tips on how to fix them?

I would say the shims got mixed up and the preload is wrong. Ask him if he checked the preload with the correct tool and what it was. Best is 5inch pounds.

https://m.ebay.com/itm/FORD-ROTUNDA-ALTERNATIVE-TOOL-T87C-1104-B-OTC-205-254-SPACER-SELECTION-TOOL/142677163234?hash=item213838bce2:g:~94AAOSwoRBadI1h

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[WmWatt]

You need high temperature bearing grease for wheel bearings.
Festiva front wheel bearings are unusual in that they are pressed in and are kept the right distance apart by a special washer called a preload spacer. It's best to ask a mechanic if he's familiar with that kind of bearing before letting him work on the car. The axle nuts are old fashioned as well as they are kept from turning and loosening by deforming the rim at a notch with a hammer and punch.
From what you wrote is sounds like you mechanic has not worked on older cars.

[jjaynes]

The mechanic is younger and is a friend so he was helping me out for free. The grease we used was normal chassis grease. Is it suggested that I take the wheel apart and re grease it? The spacer was installed but I don’t know what the nut was torqued to. What is the specified torque?

[ryanprins13]

The mechanic is younger and is a friend so he was helping me out for free. The grease we used was normal chassis grease. Is it suggested that I take the wheel apart and re grease it? The spacer was installed but I don’t know what the nut was torqued to. What is the specified torque?

If your bearing is making noise its likely garbage. Most all of us here prefer the timken brand bearings. They are cheap at www.rockauto.com
The spacer likely got missed or swapped sides or was wrong in the first place or the new bearings were a different size. I posted a link to the tool you need to check the preload, did he use one?
With having so much trouble you likely need either a different hub or to use the tool and make a proper sized spacer. Basically there are 20 or so different sized spacers and you install one with the new bearing, check the preload with the tool. If its out of range you stick a differrnt spacer in and try again.
Download the factory service manual from this link and print off the part about changing front wheel bearings. https://m.facebook.com/groups/187474...50687912764959
Then with the grease you need one that says hi temp like this and is rated gc lb for wheel bearings.


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[Team Lightning]

Torque specs run from 115-170 or so. I generally set mine on 125 foot pounds and have had no issues in 100,000 miles of driving my 90 Festiva. It also has the Aspire swap on it, which if I remember correctly, uses the same bearings as the Festiva knuckles.

[ryanprins13]

It also has the Aspire swap on it, which if I remember correctly, uses the same bearings as the Festiva knuckles.

My memory tells me the rear bearings are the same but the fronts are different. i could be wrong though

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[WmWatt]

^^ Yes, the rear inners and outers are the same size but on the front they are different sizes.
The spacers come in a set of 32. I think they are sold individually at Kia dealership parts departments.
You just put the same one back on that you took off. Most problems come from not putting them back on.
Look in the trash and see if it's in there. Check the wheel to see if it's on.
(They have the number stamped on them. I paint the number on the hub in case they get lost. They are matched to the individual hub.)
The torque is 150-180. I have to use a cheater and put my whole body weight on it to get the nuts tight enough.
I use ordinary "chassis and bearing" grease which does not break down under higher temp's on both car and bicycle bearings.
Recommend getting the Haynes manual. Pays for itself in saved labour charges and avoided mistakes. I read before I wreck.

[firebush357]

^^ Yes, the rear inners and outers are the same size but on the front they are different sizes.
The spacers come in a set of 32. I think they are sold individually at Kia dealership parts departments.
You just put the same one back on that you took off. Most problems come from not putting them back on.
Look in the trash and see if it's in there. Check the wheel to see if it's on.
(They have the number stamped on them. I paint the number on the hub in case they get lost. They are matched to the individual hub.)
The torque is 150-180. I have to use a cheater and put my whole body weight on it to get the nuts tight enough.
I use ordinary "chassis and bearing" grease which does not break down under higher temp's on both car and bicycle bearings.
Recommend getting the Haynes manual. Pays for itself in saved labour charges and avoided mistakes. I read before I wreck.

If you can find a Factory Service Manual on Ebay they provide a good bit more info than the Haynes Manual and aren't too much more money.