Lancia Motor Club

I have recently noticed a very small amount of play on a front wheel bearing on my S3. It's not making any noise. The amount of play measured with a dial at the edge of the disc is 0.1 mm.

Is there a chance this can be rectified by stripping, cleaning and reassembly? I can't see any sign of the nut or retaining washer (the one with the 2 dimples locking it) having moved.

My other hope is that if it can be cleaned it might still last quite a long time even with a small amount of play. That said, I would prefer to get a new one rather than have any play if that's what is has to take.

   
  I personally wouldn`t be concerned about 0.004" play in a hub bearing, it`s good to have very slight movement, better than being too tight. On the older adjustable type with castellated nuts you would want to run with more play than that. If you are worried then clean and repack it as you suggested and see how it feels.

Removing and refitting a Fulvia wheel bearing is not a simple job and needs special tools.

If the bearing is worn it starts to damage the stub axle - the bit that holds the disc on and sits on the inner race of the bearing. Once damaged you would need a new or good s/h stub axle. If you can move the top/bottom and side to side of the wheel it is probably a good idea to throw some new bearings in for the next 50 years....

I understand that some special tools are required and that the Club can help in this respect, although within reason I might be willing to buy them. I see that Pieces Fulvia do some.

Please can anyone tell me what tools are necessary?

The hub nut tool (2 types 3or 6 prong) and the bearing retaining nut tool. You will need to remove a v large wire circlip buried in the crud of the inner part of the retaining nut. You will also have the rig up a “pusher” to keep the tool tight to the nut so it does not slip off. With luck and a long bar you may be able to undo the retaining nut keeping the hub on the car. Sometimes they need to be drilled. Sometimes they need to be done on the bench with heat and a large vice. The club has the tools for hire.

I recently changed both wheel bearings and had the pleasure of experiencing two of the three scenarios above. One of the large nuts came off with the hub in-situ. The other was a lot more fun. Firstly, it sheared my 1/2 drive, bent a replacement. The enitre hub had to be removed, copious amounts of heated applied (it was glowing orange), and two people hanging onto a scaffolding bar. Luckily the drill stayed tucked away.

Sounds definitely like a job for the winter. Maybe not this winter either!