Sprinter 308D Front hub

[Algieboy]

This is my first post on here and first I would like to say hi to all you guys and to say this is a great forum. I have a Sprinter 208D 1999 and have a slight movement on the steering when I shake the steering wheel from side to side there is a distinct clunk it sounded like a worn track rod end slapping but when i removed the front n/s wheel and rocked the wheel side to side no movement but when i rock it top to bottom it feels like the hub bearing needs tightend. I am used to working on transits and was surprised to see an allan key type nut lock and the hub nut looks massive .Do I need a special tool for tightning /removing this , also the tyre is well worn on the outer side rim.Hope to hear from you guys in the know and offer some advise.Thanks

 

[mister_cee333]

Check the bottom ball joint. If it was the wheel bearing I'd think it would show play sideways and top/bottom. The bottom ball joint is a press fit and not a job to be taken lightly without the aid of a press.

 

[Algieboy]

Check the bottom ball joint. If it was the wheel bearing I'd think it would show play sideways and top/bottom. The bottom ball joint is a press fit and not a job to be taken lightly without the aid of a press.

The bottom ball joints where replaced 6mths ago on a MOT fail and the van has only done 1,000 mls since then, so if it is the balljoint, me thinks I will be taking it back to the garage that done the work ,surely they should last for more than a thousand mls

 

[wireman]

Usualy you get slop sideways and verticaly when the bearing is slack, but...

That there lock nut is lovely, release the pinch bolt just sufficiently to allow the nut to turn and wind the nut up finger tight (with your fingers), dont spanner it up tight, there should be just a teeny bit of end float when correctly adjusted and the pinch bolt has been tightened. Take the wheel off before you adjust it to minimise the mass and maximise the feel.
If you can't rotate the washer (between nut and bearing) its too tight, if the washer slips easily its too loose.

 

[Algieboy]

Wheel hub

Usualy you get slop sideways and verticaly when the bearing is slack, but...

That there lock nut is lovely, release the pinch bolt just sufficiently to allow the nut to turn and wind the nut up finger tight (with your fingers), dont spanner it up tight, there should be just a teeny bit of end float when correctly adjusted and the pinch bolt has been tightened. Take the wheel off before you adjust it to minimise the mass and maximise the feel.
If you can't rotate the washer (between nut and bearing) its too tight, if the washer slips easily its too loose.

That was the info I was looking for Thank You very much for the informative reply Will get stuck in now I know how to do it.