Western Towing Print

A guide to removing & refitting sealed for life bearings

When removing or fitting Euro bearings it is extremely important that you work carefully and keep everything clean in order to ensure efficient operation and to maintain safety.

To ensure that the bearings operate properly it is essential that the correct tools and methods are used to fit them.

Installation should be carried out under clean conditions. Do not unwrap bearings until you are ready to fit them.

Removal

  1. Place chocks under at least one wheel of the vehicle.
  2. Loosen wheel bolts before jacking up the vehicle.
  3. Jack up the vehicle and secure on axle stands.
  4. Remove the wheel nuts and wheel.
  5. Remove the dustcap.
  6. Remove the brake drum.
  7. Lay brake drum on flat, clean surface.
  8. Remove the circlip(s).
  9. Ideally, push out the bearing squarely using a hydraulic press and suitable mandrel taking care not to damage the machined surfaces of the brake drum. The Euro bearing is now to be scrapped as it is no longer fit for service.

Fitting

  1. WARNING: Keep the two inner half rings of the new bearing held together otherwise the bearing could become damaged and not fit for use.
  2. Push the new bearing squarely all the way into the brake drum ideally using a hydraulic press and suitable mandrel. NOTE: The force must be applied only on the outer ring of the bearing otherwise the bearing can be damaged and unfit for use.
  3. Fit the circlip(s) ensuring it is fully engaged in the machined groove
  4. Fit the brake drum and a NEW flanged nut and tighten to a torque of between 280 and 300 NM
  5. Refit the wheel and wheel bolts
  6. Lower vehicle and tighten wheel bolts N S W E to correct torque.
  7. Check and adjust brakes where necessary

Important Note re AL-KO

Al-ko say that every time a bearing is replaced there is some deterioration of the fit between bearing and drum. It is therefore recommended that the bearing in their drums is replaced no more than twice.