Freelander - Propshaft Bearing Replacement

Tracked down the source of an intermittent knocking sound today. Looks like one of the two propshaft centre bearings is worn out.

Are there any hidden 'gotchas' that I need to consider before I order a new one and get my spanners out to replace it?

Hmmm from what it says on Rave I'd need access to a bench press, which I don't have. Looks like a job for the local garage then. I suppose I can do all the disassembly/re-assembly work though, and just take the vicious coupling to them to do their bits.

Its best to replace both although its the front that usually goes first. Be sure not to let garage fit the cheaper ones as they last about 12 months maybe 14,ooo miles if you're lucky as per my last post.

Thanks, I'll bear that in mind. I saw there were some cheap ones on Ebay so will avoid them.

Hi,

Which are the best to buy please?

GKN are probably the best ones to go for

There's a few write ups on it......I think Hippo did one, try the search they should all be there.

Told ye

you can have a cookie

I just changed the bearing in mine. Knock the old bearing out, tap the replacement in. Easy, only cost of £6 and half an hour to do.

Interesting repair. GKN mounts use fag bearings which seem to perform and last the longest.

Hippo said:

Interesting repair. GKN mounts use fag bearings which seem to perform and last the longest.

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I use FAG or Timken 6006 rubber shielded bearings both last well. Obviously if the running bushing has started to fail I simply replace the whole assembly. I don't generally bother going to the expense of GKN replacements as the actual bearings are so cheap.

Nodge68 said:

I use FAG or Timken 6006 rubber shielded bearings both last well. Obviously if the running bushing has started to fail I simply replace the whole assembly. I don't generally bother going to the expense of GKN replacements as the actual bearings are so cheap.

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I think most owners would find the rubber has started to fail by the time they get round to requiring new bearings. It's handy to know the bearing can be sourced cheap if it hasn't.

Hippo said:

I think most owners would find the rubber has started to fail by the time they get round to requiring new bearings. It's handy to know the bearing can be sourced cheap if it hasn't.

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There is nothing special with the bearing really. For future reference it's a 6006-2RS. I keep one in my workshop just in case I get one start to make a noise.
They are cheap as chips on ebay.
Unbranded cost under £3!!
1 X 6006 2RS SEALED BEARING 30x55x13 | eBay

But I've used these without issue
FAG 6006-2RS SEALED BEARING 30x55x13mm | eBay

What fails on the cheaper support bearings is it the rubber or the actual bearing cos I was thinking if its the bearing it would be cheaper to by 2 cheap units off ebay and change the bearings for the FAG ones rather than buy GKN at the prices that are being charged now.

Also how many bearings are there in each unit is it one or 2.

Bizzie said:

What fails on the cheaper support bearings is it the rubber or the actual bearing cos I was thinking if its the bearing it would be cheaper to by 2 cheap units off ebay and change the bearings for the FAG ones rather than buy GKN at the prices that are being charged now.

Also how many bearings are there in each unit is it one or 2.

Click to expand...

2 bearings support the vcu. It's normally the bearing that fails but the rubber inside the bearing mount wears over time. You can see the rubber and wobble the vcu to see what it's like. Fag seem to be the best which is what gkn use.

Whilst on the subject of vcu bearings I am doing mine right at this moment. Should this silver dust cover go onto the next lip or not? I thought not but the cover is sitting tight to the bearing and therefor will just spin round and round. It does seem too tight to go to the next lip though and looking at hippos photos it seems to be the same as mine

The metal disc is a muck / water thrower. It dishes away from the bearing and spins with the shaft. The photo is showing it correctly fitted as long as it's not touching the outer bearing housing.

Thanks for that Hippo