Technical Ducato front wheel bearing carrier

[Roog321]

Hi, I have a 2005 Ducato based motorhome on a maxi chassis and a 2.8 JTD, I took it into a garage to have the wheel bearing changed but they are stuck fast. I am interested to know what the parts look like so that I can order enough bits so that we don't have to remove the bearing, but ditch those parts.

I am quite surprised that I am having to do this but any help/advice you can give would be appreciated. Info such as where to get parts and a 'cut-away' diagram which would show me what they all look like, plus any recommendations on what bits I should replace!

 

[Shingy]

You need to tell us if it’s front or rear.......big difference. Cheers

 

[sumpplug]

The heading says Front wheel.

 

[Shingy]

My mistake, sorry !

 

[Communicator]

Perhaps this link to eLearn may help.http://4cardata.info/elearn/244/2/244000001/244000003/244000004/244001215

 

[IceVovo]

Yeah...something is not quite right.

The front wheel bearing is in the wheel hub assembly. Pressed in.

On some cars, the front wheel bearing are easily removed by hand
once you take stuff off the hub. They are not pressed in some cars and can be removed just by hand.
eg. Mitsubishi Shogun.

With the Ducato, the bearing is pressed into the hub and held with a circlip
into the hub also.

As far as I know...You must remove the hub completely to replace the bearing on the Ducato?

The job is bigger than you think than just changing a wheel bearing on a car.

This is a rough idea of the hub removal process. ( I have removed my front right hub)
It requires removing the front hub nuts, the Brake caliper, front brake disc, heat shield, splitting the steering tie rod joint, splitting the lower ball joint and disconnecting the hub from the front macpherson strut.

You can then slide it off the driveshaft.

Once the front hub assembly is removed from the driveshaft....you can commence removal of the bearing. ( As per the official removal instructions)

You may need a 20 tonne press for this job? It may need some heat on the hub.
The Ducato is a truck grade heavy duty undercarriage which is why they
are motorhome capable from the start.

A truck place that does large vans also will be able to press out the bearings and press in some new ones.
I think this would be the cheapest option for the OP?....once they got the hub assembly off.

The bearing is pressed in tight....deliberately.
It sounds like you have taken it to the wrong garage.

 

[Shingy]

Totally agree with you IceVovo. I’ve done that three times on my X244 on one side or another over the years, and as you’ve rightly said the whole assembly has to be stripped down until you have nothing but the hub in your hand.

Roog321, I would suggest if you still fancy doing the job which is not impossible if you’re mechanically minded, to first locate a garage or workshop who has the equipment and necessary skills to force the bearing out of the hub and replace with new. These bearings are produced by various manufacturers and are readily available from numerous motor factors once you have supplied the VIN No. of your vehicle.

In withdrawing the hub from the drive shaft it is very easy for the shaft to disengage itself from the gearbox, so before you get to that stage strap it in place otherwise you will loose your gearbox oil which is another job you don’t need.

Good luck

 

[GreyNomad]

Hi Roog321
Communicator has given you the layout of the front wheel bearing assembly

I agree with IceVovo that you have picked the wrong garage

I have the same Fiat Ducato Maxi, on the 244 chassis, with the 2.8 JTD engine, but mine is a 2006 model

I changed out my passenger (gearbox) side, front wheel bearing, and it is unfortunately not for the novice

The front wheel bearing is a sealed and preloaded, double cone and cup, thrust bearing, which is pushed into the housing, held by a circlip, with the wheel hub pushed through the bearing


If your mechanic needs a few pointers here is how I did mine
I am not a mechanic, just an old Fitter Turner/Machinist. (Retired Maintenance Fitter), so you follow this guide at your own risk.

1. Remove the assembly from the vehicle. (Hard but not impossible if you have the correct tools).
2. Push out the wheel hub from the bearing. (I only just managed this using a 32 tonne jack, set up in a home made press/jig)
3. Remove the large circlip which is now visible
4. Push the bearing out of the housing. (Easier than the wheel hub, but still tight)
5. You can now measure the bearing, as there are different sizes

The size of my bearing was (in mm) 90 OD - 55 ID - 60 length
Bearing Kit # 4890


Below is a pic of the home made jig/press, with the oversize handle I had to use

 

[Roog321]

Sorry I haven't replied, I got in to a crazy state doing this job, I think that you are right I had the wrong garage do the job, despite their stock and trade being vans and small lorries.

They suggested that I buy a complete assembly from Fiat (they don't sell just the bare hubs?) which for both sides would be in excess of £1700 for the parts alone! and would have taken months to arrive.

We chose to order new hubs from a 'non Fiat' source and they fitted the new bearings into these. Job cost just over £300 including parts.

Bit of a lesson for me. I agree I could not have completed these works in a yard in the middle of nowhere, (1 hour drive from my home) , no power, no light, no water, no anything, just the tools I could carry over in my car.