Does anyone know how easy/hard it is to change the bearing where the front drive shaft goes into the diff' casing.I have just discovered that my front offside one has bitten the dust i.e there is a shed load of play in it and it is making a noise akin to a knackered wheel bearing on left hand corners.
There is a castleated nut/collar around this bearing (for adjusting the end float I think!)that seems to suggest that it would be a relatively easy job,or is this just wishful thinking and am I in for one hell of a big bill?

 

the front diff bearings are adjustable, as for the wheel bearings they are not adjustable.

Dan

 

Cheers Dan,but I have tried adjusting the end float on the bearing.It is definately a collapsing bearing as it moves up and down and not just in and out.Unfortunately I have to go away for work next week and am busy all weekend so I fear I am just going to have to put it into my local dealer and live with the bill afterwards!

 

I am experiencing a similar noise (knock knocking when left wheel is under load). I had assumed it was a wheel bearing. Do you reckon it could be the diff bearing instead ??

 

Possible,but I chatted to my local dealer today who say it is a very unusual problem.Get under the car and find where the front drive shafts go into the diff' housing,then if you grip the body of the shaft at the diff' you should only be able to move it rotationaly and maybe in and out a little,if,as is the case with mine,you can also move it up and down then you may have the same problem.One word of warning,my dealer has said that depending on what is found it will cost anywhere from £500 to a grand.Seems an awful lot to me.