Has anyone on here used NAPA rear hub assemblies on a Mk2? This brand has apparently been around in the USA for years, but only recently introduced into the UK.

Is there any way to disassemble the old units and replace only the bearings? They are said to be "non-serviceable".

Thanks for any info.

 

The bearings of these rear wheel hubs cannot be replaced.

The wheel bearings consist of loose bearing balls that run directly onto the shaft / inside the housing. Only the inner bearing has a seperate bearing race on the shaft (otherwise it would be impossible to assemble the bearing).

Since the shaft and housing are made of relatively soft material premature wear of both the shaft and housing is a well known problem. Back in the days I disassembled a few of these bearings and all showed damage to the shaft / housing while the loose bearing balls were basically still fine.

Another problem is that after the hub is assembled in the factory the shaft is permanently deformed (like a rivet) to keep all parts in place. This makes disassembly /reassembly of the hub virtually impossible.  

3 hours ago, AntonovAN12 said:

Has anyone on here used this brand of rear hub assemblies on a Mk2? This brand has apparently been around in the USA for years, but only recently introduced into the UK.

Is there any way to disassemble the old units and replace only the bearings? They are said to be "non-serviceable".

Thanks for any info.

 

I watch a lot of Utube posts from Guys like Eric O of South Main Auto repairs NW of New York. I know that he uses a whole lot of NAPA stuff simply because he cant source OEM parts, and because even the OEM stuff is made in China and not the quality it used to be. So I think you pays your money and take the choice. Units are sealed and cant be repaired AFAIK

I use Napa stuff, battery, engine oils, gear oils filters. No issue. 

Thanks for the replies.

The online suppliers don't appear to list a left and right option for these hub units. Am I correct that they are the same for both sides?

Parts in motion seem to be one of the cheapest online places to buy them. I have never used this company before as I prefer to buy parts from a counter so I can check them before paying. Does anyone on here have any experience with them?

 

 

16 hours ago, AntonovAN12 said:

Thanks for the replies.

The online suppliers don't appear to list a left and right option for these hub units. Am I correct that they are the same for both sides?

Parts in motion seem to be one of the cheapest online places to buy them. I have never used this company before as I prefer to buy parts from a counter so I can check them before paying. Does anyone on here have any experience with them?

 

 

They are not sided, so will fit either side, it doesnt matter. As for parts in motion, i have no idea, never dealt with them TBH

Does anyone here know which brand of rear hubs were fitted by Ford when the Mk2 was built?

How easy are they to change with out having the car on a lift?

10 hours ago, AntonovAN12 said:

Does anyone here know which brand of rear hubs were fitted by Ford when the Mk2 was built?

How easy are they to change with out having the car on a lift?

Dont know for sure about mk2 but my 16 plate mk3 has SKF as fitted in the factory. It would be possible on the ground without a lift, but will be a little awkward removing the bolts that hold it on, they are removed from behind the knuckle.

Thanks for the reply. 

Looking underneath it would be impossible to get a full turn on a socket wrench to undo the bolts. This would require a lot of partial turns of a ratchet to remove them. This seems even worse to do from underneath the car while on stands with one wheel removed.

11 minutes ago, AntonovAN12 said:

Thanks for the reply. 

Looking underneath it would be impossible to get a full turn on a socket wrench to undo the bolts. This would require a lot of partial turns of a ratchet to remove them. This seems even worse to do from underneath the car while on stands with one wheel removed.

Thats what you would have to do, unless you have an impact gun.

Thanks for the replies.

Both rear hubs are now replaced. Both did feel worn at the recent MOT. The tester recommended they be replaced.

I bought Bilstein branded ones from Parts in Motion for £48 each. Delivery from them was quick. I ordered on a Friday afternoon and they arrived the following Monday.

The place I normally use charged 1 1/2 hours labour to fit the hubs I supplied. I thought I would let them deal with the rusty bolts with the car on a lift. The ones removed were Ford marked so were likely fitted when the car was built. They haven't done badly at almost 150,000 miles.

I took it for a short run along a motorway yesterday evening. It does seem quieter inside the Focus with the new bearings.