[waimser]

Hi guys. Im new here, will do an intro with pics soon.

I have used the search to no avail and have looked else where as well. I need to know if vitara front bearings can be adjusted/tightened up once they get a little loose. Everything I can find is about replacing them only.

The bearings are not that old, about 40,000km I think, maybe even less. The left wheel can easily be wobbled far too much to be acceptable but does not make any noise or vibration.

I would like to just tighten them up a bit like I would on any other car but I need to know if it can be done and how before I get too far into the process.

Thanks guys

Edit: Changed title for future reference/searches.

[matty_wall]

pretty sure they aren't adjustable.

could be wrong tho.

[Joe]

Im pretty sure vitara wheel bearings can not be adjusted

Time for some new ones

Send Weaves a pm he gets good prices on bearings

[Bucket]

Can't be adjusted but try tightening the locknut up a bit. It might get rid of a bit of that play.
If your gunna do that, check your bearings for case hardening wear while your at it to determine if you need new ones or not.

[waimser]

Thanks for the quick answers guys.
Seriously though. How many kms are other people getting out of thier vitara bearings seems a bit odd that they would need replacing already. I cant believe suzuki would put such a weak point in thier cars that it would need replacing so often

Thanks for the weaves link too. Seen that name about 700 times tinight while searching

Ill investigate further tomorrow in the daylight and see how I go.

I recon its a conspiracy by Weaves. He really knows how to do it but wants us to keep buying his stuff

Keep the posts coming if you have anything to add. Thanks


EDIT: Thanks Bucket, thightening the locknut is pretty much what I was talking about when I meant adjusting. How far do I need to go to be able to do that. What do and dont I need to take off first?

[Joe]

Hey Waimser do ya do much mud driving? that will shorten the life of ya bearings big time.....

I was going through wheel bearings every six months on my sierra but that was with big offset rims, 33s and i use to like mud driving so that didn't help

[weaves]

there are two types in vitara's, they used to use a assembly consisting of two cones and a double cup, now the replacement bearing is a double row ball bearing.

the best part about both of these bearings is its really really hard to over tighten them due to their design, with the use of spacers and split inner rings you can only tighten till they all connect.

the bad part is there is very very little adjustment, if your locknut has worked loose you will get some wobble there, and tightening will get you some extra life out of the bearing.

If you want to go as far as taking the hub off, if you have the two cones and a double cup style bearing (unlikely if you had them replaced 40k ago) you can flush and regrease them, put them back in, if it is a double row ball there isnt much you can do.

even if you do manage to tighten it again, i would suggest getting the parts to replace them in the near future because a failure probably isnt too far away.

pm if there is anything i can help you with

weaves

ps. if i where making any money at all out of the sale of the bearings i sell you guys, i would be charging you heaps more. lol.

[Bucket]

waimser wrote:

....
EDIT: Thanks Bucket, thightening the locknut is pretty much what I was talking about when I meant adjusting. How far do I need to go to be able to do that. What do and dont I need to take off first?

Been a while since I've done mine but ill have a think.

5 or 6 bolts that hold the hub on. Then there should be 2-4 screws that hold a lockring onto your locknut. Take those out and the lockring/washer, tighten the locknut and test align the lockwasher. Then do it back up.

Think that's it in a nutshell

[waimser]

Ok between Weaves and bucket I now know very precicely what I wanted to know. Thanks guys.

Ill see if the lock nut needs tightening tomorrow and if that doesnt help ill be getting a new set pretty soon.

Please dont take offence if I dont hit you up for them though weaves. Our local guy only keeps stuff in stock and at reasonable prices because we use him. Hes also the only guy in town so we gotta keep him in business.

[weaves]

no worries mate, i'm here for advice if you need my products or not.

[waimser]

Well thanks guys. You made a scary job very easy. The nut was fairly loose and a quick tighten up has taken away all the free play.
Only one of the lock ring screws was stuffed too which I thought was a bonus
Now I just need to wait till I get my wheels back and I can take her for a run to make sure the bearing doesnt make any noise and im all good. Maybe go play in some sand this arvo if theres still any daylight left