The Toyota Landcruiser Owners Club

[500SEC]

There's a slight amount of movement on my front driver's side wheel when raised off the ground. I suspect that the bearings need replacing. The Toyota dealer I rang today says that Toyota fitted either of two types of bearings, and that I would need to identify this before placing an order for the replacement bearings.

How is it possible to identify the type of bearing on my 96 4.2 TD? Btw, cost of Toyota OEM bearing (one inner and one outer is £80 plus VAT.

Is this an easy diy job, or is it best to leave to a trained mechanic ? The Haynes manual has step-by-step instructions. Tempted to try. Comments are welcome.
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Frederick (London SW15)


1986 Mercedes 500SEC
1996 TLC 4.2 GS TD
2006 Ford Falcon ute

[Google]

[billybear]

HI
I think most jobs can be done all you need to do is read and take your time,i have just done my big end bearings its a job i would normally pass on but i done it and it worked out fine.You have got to believe you can do it thats the main thing.The main dealers ask to much money for some jobs so you have to be more hands on with this type of car.I havnt done this particular job so i dont know whats involved but i am sure a few of the other guys have and they will let you know.Goodluck.

[DaveN]

They're usually just a bit sloppy, as opposed to knackered.

Also, when they fit new discs, they invariably don't do them up properly.

You need to undo the ring of nuts on the hub a little, then bash them with a copper mallet to release the little cone shaped washers. That end piece then just comes off. Inside is 2 big nuts with a lock washers with tabs bent over. Unbend the tabs, and tighten the inner nut up a little whilst spinning the wheel. Bend over the tabs, do up the outer lock nut, bend over the tabs. Basically you want it to turn freely, but without slop. There is a long toyota procedure for this that involves torquing it up, then backing off, then putting a fish scale on it to check tturning torque. But a bit of common sense tells you if it's too tight or too loose. Put a little instant gasket on the hub, and do up all the little nuts again. The nuts are huge, so you can gently tap it round with a copper drift, unless you possess a 72mm socket.

You can get a Haynes manual that covers the basics like this, so maybe worth £15

[500SEC]

So you're suggesting adjustment, rather than replacing the wheel bearing. How do I determine if the wheel bearing does in fact need replacing ?

(I'm away for three weeks from this Friday, so will attempt this upon my return).
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Frederick (London SW15)


1986 Mercedes 500SEC
1996 TLC 4.2 GS TD
2006 Ford Falcon ute

[Towpack]

If the bearing is worn out there will be no adjustment left on the adjuster nut.If the bearing is damaged you'll feel it as roughness or 'grating' when you turn the wheel.Adjusting the wheel bearings must be one of the easiest jobs on the car.If it does need replacing go to one of the specialist bearing suppliers first.They'll probably be much cheaper than the dealers.
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Phil


1998 HDJ80 Amazon VX 4.2TD
2004 Yamaha R1 (Sold)
2011 Ducati 1198SP (Sold)
2012 kawasaki ZZr1400
2002 Honda XR650R (BRP)- STOLEN GRRRRR!!!
2010 Husaberg FE570....YIPPEEEEE!!!!
2003 GT XCR3000
1995 Border Collie-Passed away 23-5-2011

[DaveN]

How do you know if they're knackered?

Quite easily really, if they adjust up, with no slop, and still turn freely and with no lumps. And if you don't find lumps of metal floating about in the grease, then they're probably ok. Also, once adjusted, if they then get sloppy again after a few weeks, they're knackered.

Because they're 2 taper roller bearings that need to be adjusted against each other, you've got a bit to play with. Unlike modern stuff where the whole assembly or hub is preloaded and when slop develops they rapidly wear out and then go in the bin.

The problem is dealers just never take the time (or have the skill) to set them up properly when they change the discs. Plus you need to keep your eye on them after a while. I changed the discs, got them all set up nice, then 3 weeks later the wheels are flapping about like the bearings were shot. Adjusted them up again after they'd settle in, and no more problems. You go to any toyota dealer and look at their special tools, they don't have any! They only have to buy the tools as and when they need them. So unless they think ahead, it's too late when the cars already there. Plus they just don't see the work/problems come in, as by the time stuff like this comes up, the cars have already dropped out of the dealer network. I had this when I wanted to adjust the valve clearances, as I visit dealer every day as part of my job. The answers I got ranged from blank looks, to 'never done them', 'don't know about the tool', 'aren't they hydraulic'.

[lucky]

You will need to get a 54mm socket (55mm will work at a pinch if you can't get a 54mm - also 55 seem to be cheaper for some reason) to tighten the wheelbearing nuts.

It is worth taking out the bearings (certainly the outer one) and cleaning it in solvent and then repacking with grease (Lithium based). While it is out (it should just drop out fairly easily once the nuts are removed) you can check for signs of pitting and damage and feel how smooth it seems. You can also check the running face (pressed into the hub) as well for damage.
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1999 Land Cruiser Amazon VX Active 4.2TD Auto
Gloucestershire 4x4 Response
Landcruiser-rocks

[500SEC]

Where can a 54mm socket be purchased? I've tried Halfords and one other large tool shed and neither stores stock sockets this large.. I also rang Machine Mart but nor do they have this size.

Cheers,
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Frederick (London SW15)


1986 Mercedes 500SEC
1996 TLC 4.2 GS TD
2006 Ford Falcon ute

[andy]

One on e bay at the moment, but it's from the USA http://cgi.e bay.com/e bay/WHEEL-BEARING-LOCKNUT-SOCKET-54MM-TOYOTA-OTC-6612_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ43993QQitemZ4544894902QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V
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It's Not a Bl**dy Jeep it's a Landcruiser
150 series Invincible X
100 Series VX Limited
Mercedes Sprinter 311 Luton
1993 VX80 4.2td SOLD
1996 Hilux Surf SSR-G Intercooler Sold
1994 Hilux Surf SSR-V Sold

[lucky]

[500SEC]

Thanks for the e bay lead. I ordered the OTC6612 from a US site for £16(ish).
_________________
Frederick (London SW15)


1986 Mercedes 500SEC
1996 TLC 4.2 GS TD
2006 Ford Falcon ute

[DaveN]

I just tapped mine round with a copper drift.