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Hi all,

I have just bought an 86 Pennine Clubman folding camper, which we are going to take to Croatia mid July. I'm not really mechanically minded, but I reckon the minimum I should do is check that the wheel bearings are suitably tensioned, and take with me a spare set, just in case. The only thing is, I dont know where to find the part numbers for the bearings, can anyone help please?

I would also be grateful if anyone could point me towards an idiots guide to changing bearings, suggest other maintenance I should consider, and maybe highlight tools needed for doing the bearings.

Thank you,

Russ

Thanks for the helpful reply, maybe I should have mentioned that I am a student, so I am pretty much having to rely on keeping costs to a minimum.

All others thoughts would be very much appreciated.

Regards,

Russ

Hi, thanks for the reply.

I will definately look into doing that, it makes good sense to me.

Thanks again,

Russ

Does anyone know the likelyhood of bearing failure?

or life expectancy of bearings.

Well spotted !!!

I'm afraid all thats out of date, the XC was sold, will update my profile.

Hi Ian, thanks for the helpful reply.

Im definately not a master DIYer, but I reckon I can repack them with grease and 'adjust' them. I think thats what I will do, and hope for the best. Its just that its such a long trip, and I'm hoping to do it as quickly as possible.

Ive done it before with a boat trailer (these go in and out of water, so at greater risk), with no problems. I suppose its just going to have to be a leap of faith.

Regards,

Russ 

I've owned our camper 6 years & replaced the whole suspension unit in 2007.  as long as the bearings are correctly set with a torque wrench & with appropriate grease you should be OK.  Take the bearing hub cap off.  There should be no evidence of steel grit or metal shavings anywhere.  If there are, replace the bearings.  Jack each wheel up, try rocking top to bottom & side to side.  There shold not be any movement.  Spin the wheel, it should rotate freely without any grinding or rumbling noises.  I can't advise on torque wrench settings, but setting the bearings needs to be done with a suitable torque wrench to the manufacturers spec.  Try Indespension.  They supply complete wheel sets to lots of manufacturers.  You could try the Pennine Owners Club or Pennine Group themselves to find out the figure.  there will likely be a split pin to lock the castle nut in place.  Always fit a new pin after adjusting the bearings.  Some bearings are "sealed for life".  These will have rubber seals on the outer edge.  Others require packing with suitable grease.  Some wheel units have a grease nipple on the outside.  To replace brearings yourself, remove the centre castle nut & the hub should pull apart.  You'll beed a selection of soft bars & tubes to fit the diameter of the bearings as well as bearing pullers to take the inner race off.  These can be very tight.  Unless you know what you are doing, I'd let a mechanic do it because unless the new ones go on absolutely clean & true you are wasting your efforts.  I certainly wouldn't be replacing them at the roadside abroad.

Hi Steve,

thats a really useful and in depth post. I will check them myself, and if I've got any concerns, I'll take it to a trailer specialist.

Thank you,

Russ

Quote: Originally posted by Steve McV on 20/6/2011

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