How to replace the front wheel bearing of a Lada Granta

Sooner or later, any car owner will be faced with a problem related to the failure of the front wheel bearing on a Grant. It is good if the product is replaced on time, when the first signs are detected. It is worse if the driver ignores signs indicating a faulty element, which can lead to a serious traffic accident.

The main purpose of wheel bearings is to maintain and ensure proper rotation of the wheels. From a structural point of view, the product consists of two metal rings, between which there are rollers or balls, an insulating material that prevents debris from entering and lubricant from leaking out of the product.

Symptoms of a problem

Problems associated with the front hub are identified by the following symptoms:

• extraneous, unnatural noise from the wheel during rotation;
• wheel beating, vibrations of varying degrees of intensity;
• sounds of scraping metal;
• front wheel play appears.

Causes of breakdowns

The service life of the product is quite long and amounts to about one hundred thousand kilometers, subject to gentle operation. However, in real “combat” conditions, the element fails much earlier than its allotted time. Here are 3 important factors that significantly reduce the service life of a bearing:

• Unsatisfactory condition of roads. The fact is that when driving on an uneven surface, wheel bearings take on increased load, sudden impacts, and exposure to high and low temperatures. Over time, the metal components of the product become brittle and begin to break down.
• Aggressive environments. Due to the fact that the element is located in the center of the wheel, it is constantly in contact with moisture, water, dust, and dirt. In winter it is exposed to cold temperatures and in summer to hot temperatures.
• High operating temperatures. The rotation process is accompanied by the natural release of heat; constant heating and cooling occurs (especially in winter conditions), which has a detrimental effect on strength and wear resistance.

What lubricants should you avoid?

Not every lubricant provides reliable protection against friction under operating conditions of a car hub.
The ongoing processes are influenced by a fairly large number of external and internal factors. Rotation occurs at high circular speed under high temperature conditions. Such operational features largely lead to the rejection of lubricants containing synthetic hydrocarbons. Their destruction often occurs already at temperatures of 45-65 C. The group includes vaseline or silicone materials, presented in a large assortment on the shelves of specialized domestic stores.

The use of lubricants containing sodium and calcium can damage wheel bearings. They effectively combat the friction process, but are powerless in confronting the corrosive effects. However, the operation of the unit is associated with difficult conditions, and it cannot be left completely without lubrication.

To a greater extent, these materials are used for low-moving joints or applied to springs to protect them from rust. The average output of a unit with the addition of graphite-containing substances is reduced to 20-30 thousand kilometers, in comparison with the use of materials recommended by auto companies, which give an operating time of 100-120 thousand kilometers.

Wheel bearing grease containing zinc or iron is not recommended for use. Although it is used for rolling bearings, it finds its application in industrial equipment and components.

Replacing the front wheel bearing on a Grant

Work related to removal and installation will require special tools, namely: - a special hub puller; - chisel; - hammer; — a long lever or a specialized wrench to loosen the hub nut; - set of heads; - center punch; — a knob or key set to “30”; - a flat-head screwdriver; — retaining ring remover (or pliers with round ends); - jack or ditch lift; — wheel stands (2 pieces).

Conventionally, all work can be divided into 18 stages:

• Place the vehicle on a level surface, provide acceptable lighting conditions, and place chocks under the rear wheels.
• We loosen, but do not unscrew the bolts securing the wheel where replacement is planned.
• We loosen the tightening torque for the hub nut (it is most convenient to use a long lever).

• Using a jack, we lift the required side of the car. We dismantle the wheel.
• Using a screwdriver, pry and disconnect the protective plastic cap of the hub.

• Using a hammer and a center punch, straighten the shoulder of the bearing nut.
• Unscrew the hub nut. Please note that the tightening torque is quite high, so it is necessary to use a special wrench or tool with a long lever. Remove the nut and washer. Remove the brake disc.

• Disconnect the wheel drive.
• Unscrew the two bolts of the strut and ball joint.
• Unscrew the steering knuckle fasteners and remove it from the CV joint.
• We install the unit in a vice and, using a head of the required diameter, press in the wheel bearing.
• Remove the special protective ring.
• We place the chisel between the ends of the inner ring and, applying small blows with a hammer to the chisel, tear the ring to the side. Using a special puller we dismantle it.
• Using pliers or round-nose pliers, remove the retaining ring and remove the bearing.
• Using a brush with metal bristles, clean the inside of the steering knuckle from dirt. Then apply lubricant to the cleaned surface.
• Install the new product back into the steering knuckle.
• Further assembly is carried out in reverse order.

Now you know how to change the front wheel bearing on a Grant at home, without resorting to the help of car services.

Reviews

Ensuring reliability during operation

Before you start choosing a lubricant, you should read the car’s operating manual and the car manufacturer’s recommendations in this regard. Usually, important parameters and performance properties for the required lubricant are described there. In some cases, preferred brands or brands that have specified characteristics are described.

If such a section is missing, then it is worth trying lithium-containing viscous anti-friction fluids. However, at certain mileage intervals it will be necessary to carry out visual diagnostics of the operation of the bearings.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=GfjMzNJIYp0

One of the important criteria for safe driving is the technical condition of the front wheel hub assembly. If not the worst thing, it's the wheel bearing. How to lubricate a #bearing without removing the wheel bearing cover. Every driver must ensure that the grease for the wheel bearings is replaced on time. Not enough people know that the hubs should be removed and the bearing lubricant replaced after every 20-30 thousand km. mileage

The vast majority of car owners drive from breakdown to breakdown, not realizing that they are often themselves to blame for the need for an unplanned purchase of expensive spare parts. Any of the VAZ cars, differing in the usual technical device, allows each driver to independently check the condition of the chassis and change the lubricant.

Recommended lubricants

What can be used to protect the bearing not only from high temperatures, but also from corrosion, and to ensure a minimum coefficient of friction? There are a number of well-proven formulations.

Disulfite-molybdenum agents

Considered one of the best. The lubricant contains molybdenum salt, which reduces the coefficient of friction. In addition, the material is capable of forming a dense protective film that “saves” the assembly from corrosion

There is another important advantage: the service life of the lubricant coincides with the service life of the bearing itself, i.e.

trouble-free operation of the hub for 100 thousand kilometers is guaranteed. There is also a minus - relatively rapid contamination. But if you don't allow the hub to depressurize, everything will be fine. There is one more point: it is worth checking the condition of the lubricant regularly if you constantly move at high speed. A signal for replacement will be a bluish tint to the product. Among the manufacturers of the composition, the most famous companies are Mobil, Castrol (British Petroleum), ESSO, Liqui Moly. Among the Russian brands, it is worth highlighting “Fiol” and the more expensive “ShRUS-4”.

Lithium greases

They are characterized by high resistance to friction, which guarantees an extended service life. Also, lithium products have a long service life: the product does not lose its qualities even after the car has driven 110 thousand km. Among the negative aspects, it is worth noting the average resistance to corrosion processes when compared with lubricants on a different basis. Another disadvantage is the substance’s ability to dissolve some polymers, this is due to the fact that the composition contains organic acid. Therefore, before using lithium grease, read the car manufacturer’s recommendations about the permissibility of using such a product.

Lithium grease is produced by several foreign companies, the most famous of which are Renolit, British Petroleum, Very Lube. But you can also use the Russian analogue, known on the market under the brand “Litol 24”. This is a composition that successfully copes with elevated temperatures, friction and actively fights corrosion. Another serious plus is the affordable price.

Wheel bearings SS20 for VAZ cars

Wheel bearings are subject to extreme loads, especially on Russian roads. To ensure rotation of the car wheel without play, with minimal noise and friction, it is necessary to carefully select wheel bearings. SS20 hub bearings have passed 100% quality control and guarantee car owners confidence in road safety.

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Applicability

• VAZ 2101-2107
• VAZ 2108-2110
• LADA Kalina, Kalina II
• LADA Granta
• LADA Priora
• VAZ 2121, 2131
• VAZ 2123 (Chevrolet Niva)
• Datsun on-Do/mi-DO

Advantages of SS20 hub bearings

• high service life and reliability of the bearing;
• quiet operation;
• long service life;
• ensure easy and silent rotation of the wheels;
• high-quality high-temperature lubricant;
• roller bearings are equipped with lubricant, sealed ball bearings are lubricated during assembly and do not require maintenance;
• low level of mechanical losses in the bearing due to low surface roughness and high dimensional accuracy;
• comprehensive protection against counterfeiting;
• complete installation kit.

Guarantee

• Description
• Buy

The wheel bearing is one of the most heavily loaded suspension elements. Wheel bearings allow wheels to rotate and the vehicle to move as a whole. In addition to the perception of loads directly from the wheel rolling on the road, shock and thermal loads are added. Through the hub bearing, all forces arising in the contact patch between the wheel and the road are transmitted to the suspension.

That is, of the suspension and the car depends on the correct choice of front and rear wheel bearings . The main problem when replacing wheel bearings is the large number of low-quality fakes on the market that last no more than 2-3 thousand km, as well as violation of installation technology and incorrect adjustment of clearances.

Malfunctions of wheel bearings manifest themselves in the form of hum, knocking and play when the car is moving, clicks when starting and stopping. As raceways, rolling elements and cages wear, rolling resistance increases and this is accompanied by increased noise and heating of the bearings.

You can determine the malfunction of the wheel bearings yourself. To do this you need:

1. Check ease of rotation. Spin the suspended wheel with a sharp jerk and evaluate the noise level emitted by the bearing during rotation. The wheel run-out time is also estimated.
2. Determine the presence of play in the hub bearing. On a suspended wheel, applying a load with your hands in the vertical and horizontal planes, check for swing (play) in the bearing. By applying force along the axis of rotation of the wheel, you can estimate the axial clearance.

SS20 wheel bearings will help you avoid problems with low-quality spare parts. The reliability and durability of SS20 bearings is achieved through:

• accuracy of geometric dimensions in the design and production of a product;
• use of high quality steel;
• achieving the required level of surface roughness;
• use of high-tech equipment.

The manufacturing precision of wheel bearings, surface roughness and rolling elements are the key aspects that influence the level of mechanical losses in the bearing and, ultimately, determine the noise class.

During production, the service life of the hub bearings is checked selectively from the batch before failure on a stand that simulates real loads on the bearing. As part of a comprehensive quality assessment, bearing runout is checked with an assessment of the reduction in speed at two stages from 100% to 70%, and the drop in speed from the initial stage to a complete stop. At the same time, the vibroacoustic parameters of the freewheel bearing are checked.

A whole range of serious checks at all stages of the production process allows us to guarantee the buyer the high quality and reliability of SS20 wheel bearings.

SS20 hub bearings have the SS20 branding and additional protection against counterfeiting, which will provide car owners with confidence and safety on the road, and protect them from possible financial and time losses when using counterfeits.

Front wheel bearings for VAZ 2101-07 and 2121, 2123 are supplied as part of repair kits. The SS20 front hub repair kit contains all the washers, oil seals, rings, nuts, bearings and special high-temperature complex lithium grease for bearings required for replacement.

The high quality of the lubricant ensures a service life of up to 300,000 km in the wheel bearing assembly. The amount of grease is calculated to ensure reliable lubrication of the bearings throughout their entire service life. The operating temperature range of the lubricant is from –40°С to +180°С.

We draw your attention to the process of adjusting the clearance in the hub bearings. The durability of the unit largely depends on the correctness and quality of this operation, therefore, we offer you step-by-step instructions (included in the delivery kit) that will allow you to adjust the clearance in the wheel bearing unit, both during initial installation and during further scheduled maintenance.