Play in rear wheel bearings on 98 V8

[Mike Carroll]

Hi,

I have a fair amount of play in my rear wheel bearings of my 98 V8SE to the extent that my sympathetic MOT'er said he'll fail it next time. Tightening the centre nuts has made no difference, and there is no rumbling from the bearings. Just loads of play. I feel abit cheated with the car only at 13,000 miles...

Anyway, does anyone have any experience with this, and a possible solution? If I need to replace them (ok, quite likely), anyone know if they're from another car and what the part number is?

Thanks in advance.

Cheers,
Mike Carroll

[maigret]

I was in a similar situation and I got the MOT. The bearing failed 2 days later destroying the rear hub.

[mikelr]

Mike,

I would replace that bearing ASAP their not that hard to do, I see Ramspott & Brandt sell them, 115 Euro each.

Here's a link, look under spare parts/Esprit

www.ramspott-brandt.de/

Cheer's
Mike Reed

Mike Carroll said:

Hi, I have a fair amount of play in my rear wheel bearings of my 98 V8SE to the extent that my sympathetic MOT'er said he'll fail it next time. Tightening the centre nuts has made no difference, and there is no rumbling from the bearings. Just loads of play. I feel abit cheated with the car only at 13,000 miles... Anyway, does anyone have any experience with this, and a possible solution? If I need to replace them (ok, quite likely), anyone know if they're from another car and what the part number is? Thanks in advance. Cheers, Mike Carroll

>> Edited by mikelr on Tuesday 30th November 07:14

[Squelch]

I was told once by a parts department manager at a Lotus dealership that they would replace the rear wheel bearings on every used Esprit that was traded in, they kept the bearings in stock.
I replaced mine at 31k miles.
Also, the nut on the end of the shaft only holds the axle, it has nothing to do with the bearings or the play in them.

[Mike Carroll]

Excellent - thanks, chaps.

Cheers, Mike.

[maigret]

My car had beeb sitting not moving for 5 years when I got it. All the wheel bearings and driveshaft bearings soon failed or at least were about to as I checked all when the first failed. Lack of use can kill bearings as condensation in them causes rust to form and was visible as lines on the surface of the races.

We have the same problem at work where bearings often fail after a shutdown period and don't last long into the new season. Especially if workers have been enthusiastic with hoses.

So regular use of the car will dry it out and movement is required to liberate the oil from the soap base of the grease.

An alternative source sjsportscars 52GBP for late model bearing. Actually quite a bit more than the 22GBP for the S2 bearing.

[bojangles]

are the bearings the same on all stevens cars?
well I am interested in my S4s ... how can you detect this play is it something I can just jack up a week and feel? the fronts I know well enough.. the rears are what I am asking about. my Big nut was loose and the wheel was moving around a bit.. not it seems basically without play..

[Paula&Marcus]

bojangles said:

.. my Big nut was loose and was moving around a bit ...

Huchhhhhhhhhh ... I feel some funny comments popping up very soon ....

Marcus

[bojangles]

im so glad we can talk dirty here...

[Paula&Marcus]

bojangles said:

im so glad we can talk dirty here...

Hehehehehehe Hihihihi ....

Thats what life also is about ... wouldn´t it be just too boring without ... ?


Marcus