Wheel bearings... a tough job?

[NiallR]

So, I’m getting a bit of a variety in responses to this from various garages / independents so thought why not add another bunch of opinions into the mix!

My situation is as follows: I have a replacement diff (current one is kaput!) which i need to be fitted to my car and nee oil added. I also need both rear wheel bearings to be replaced.

Are these jobs “related”? I.e. in order to get to removing the diff are the wheel bearings exposed, thus making it more efficient in labour time/cost?

Next, is this a job that a “normal” garage could undertake? The idea I’m getting is that the wheel bearings are quite specialist and can be a pain to replace, but should this be something that’s beyond the capability of a decent local garage?

Thanks in advance. I’m not trying to cheap out on this work as such, rather just trying to work out if it’s one of those things that massively benefits from having a specialist do the work or if I could save some money.

[Scooba_Steve]

Are these jobs “related”? I.e. in order to get to removing the diff are the wheel bearings exposed, thus making it more efficient in labour time/cost?

The output shafts have to be disconnected for the wheel bearings, but in reality that doesn't take long (though I'm sure a garage would charge an hour for both, the left needs the exhaust dropping).

Next, is this a job that a “normal” garage could undertake? The idea I’m getting is that the wheel bearings are quite specialist and can be a pain to replace, but should this be something that’s beyond the capability of a decent local garage?

It's a job any garage should be able to undertake, it's not beyond the capability of DIY with a decent set of bearing tools but when I needed one doing I was quoted £100 (supplying my own bearing) and bit their arm off!

[Rockhopper]

I'd imagine the bearing needs pressing out.

[Old-Duckman]

I don’t have an answer to your question but would like to know how you know that the bearings are bad, what are the symptoms? I am concerned about that with my car too, I hear a slight noise but don’t know if it is bearings or whatever. Even if it is a bearing noise, how would you know if it is front or rear?

I didn’t really notice this noise last year, but I’m not sure if I was listening...if that makes any sense? My noise is not loud, I was thinking of not being concerned unless and until it gets loud enough to know that something surely isn’t right.

[Liam22]

Rumbling on left/right hand corners points to which side of the car has a failing wheel bearing.

Front wheel bearings can be diagnosed by rotating the hub by hand (better with the wheel off). You are feeling for notchiness. If smooth then it's the rear.

Rear can also be the diff, so disconnecting the driveshafts helps to isolate that possibility.

[abar121]

Yep, also checking for play with the wheels off the ground.

Any garage should be able to do it. Not a specialist job at all.