Backyard Mechanic 14: How to adjust a wheel bearing. Nissan GU Patrol.

Is it easy to tighten a wheel bearing? Yes! I'll show you just how easy it is to tighten a Nissan Patrol GU wheel bearing, and the process isn't much different to adjust a Toyota Landcruiser bearing either :)

[@bigfella6629]

Did this just recently to my patrol...just a tip, after you remove those two retaining screws use a magnet to pull out the steel locating ring, saves muckin around with screwdrivers picks and so forth.

[@Alex.G]

Mate, that is an absolute golden tip right there! I always mess around with it for ages! Pinned comment 🙂

[@jarrod1687]

I just tried this idea, my magnet wasn't strong enough to pull the ring out

[@bigfella6629]

@@jarrod1687 Get a better magnet...

[@alanw5812]

I just use Long nose plier

[@alanw5812]

Use hand to feel the Free play? Everyone feel different

[@bewhitey]

Thanks man! I am going to do this tomorrow! Just read some other forums and in America we call that special tool for tightening the wheel bearing a "spindle nut socket". It also says to tighten it to 75ft-lbs to pack everything together, then back it off and re-tighten to 17in-lbs (barely any torque...so the bearings can spin). They say this needs to be done anytime you take apart your locking hub or put a new one on...like I had done six months ago. So yeah I have been driving with loose bearings for six months, hopefully I didn't F*** everything up!

[@chippywarren9706]

You are so educational, honest and down to earth. I'm doing this soon on my GR. Must admit I'm a little nervous regarding the 2 screws if they are already messed up. Thanks a million!

[@mikekendrick7901]

Just drill them out bro. And then replace them at the hardware store that's what I did

[@OutbackDrummer]

Good instructional video mate. Clear instructions and helpful hints to turn what could be a long task into something simple!

[@stig7657]

I really appreciate your comittment over the years ! Very sad to see you've pull the pin. Still you have left a great series of vids. THANKS

[@Alex.G]

Thanks for the comment :) Glad you're still getting use from the videos all this time later

[@EpicDrivesWesternAustralia]

And now i'm off to check mine:) Awesome vid mate, cheers!

[@ikilltrees666]

Legend! I need to do this soon. I think we have the exact same GU so this helps me a bunch, cheers.

[@sebastienfox8720]

Alex, great video and thanks very much for providing these. I note that the Nissan workshop manual states for the removal of auto-locking hub it should be set to “Lock”. (you mention that it should be set to auto) Cheers

[@craig1547]

These videos are the best mate they help heaps keep up the good work 👌🤙

[@raymondjohn8896]

I just break the hub bolts while the wheels on the ground same as the wheel nuts😉

[@paddy5969]

Awesome video cheers for the help dude! 💪🏼

[@DonsShed]

Great advice there Alex :) Cheers mate, Don (Dons Shed and Xplor Overland) :)

[@Ripply774]

The perfect vid for me with a similar y61. Cheers

[@fatdunky1505]

Just an FYI. In got the death wobbles when hitting 80 on my patrol (not shimmies, death wobbles). Ended up being a loose wheel bearing on the drivers side. Edit: also needed a wheel balance and alignment

[@andygaras]

love your work

[@cattymakes]

Piss off that plastic thing over your hub and you can easily do them with the wheel still on. Makes it easier to test how tight it is as you go plus it's less work. Also, take one of those little screws to a bolt place and get a set of Alan head screws, one of the best things you'll do because the standard screw heads are so soft

[@Footrotflats251]

Bloody good video mate, I hope the hilux/triton Aisan hubs are similar coz that’s today’s mission

[@OPTIMUS6LTR]

screwdriver in the disc stopping at the caliper to undo the hex bolts

[@A9Y288]

If you don't have a magnet for the retaining ring as already suggested a pair or circlip pliers or thin pointy nose pliers in-between 2 of the holes next to each other has been a winner for me. You can also use a small punch at a 45° angle and gently hit the adjusting ring with a hammer to tighten the wheel bearing if you are unable to have access to the correct tool or make one yourself. The auto locking hubs have to go back on in a certain spot too if the hub goes back on and you find it requires pressure to keep it flush or you need to tighten the Allen key bolts to make the auto hub assembly sit perfectly on the rest of the wheel hub rotate the auto hub assembly and try again

[@brendanlewis2344]

Didn't have any luck pulling the retaining ring out mate. Any reasons why it might be stuck?

[@phillipjohnryan7074]

Alex... Thanks for that that info on the wheel bng. Out of interest what engine size do you have in the truck?

[@Alex.G]

It's a 3 litre turbo diesel 🙂 there's a rundown somewhere on the channel.

[@brendanlewis2344]

Hey Mate, can't seem to get the spacer off before I get to bearings. Any ideas?

[@danielmitchell5814]

Thanks a lot for the video. Its 2 AM here, I jst reached home after puncturing two alloy rims of Nissan Patrol GQ, what happened is, while I was turning, suddenly my patrol started some strange noises, and it stoped moving, when I tried to drive, my right front tyre punctured, i got off and checked, the alloy rim was PUNCTURED from the inside where the disc hub is located, I though may be some big screw stuck between disc hub and alloy rim, I changed it, and again it punctured my another alloy rim, now I just parked Patrol there and came home. I thought it might be broken bearing, because of which wheel is losen and when I tried to drive, disc hub punctured alloy rim, whats your opinion about it, is it wheel bearing or may be whole CV?? I am worried because its extremely hard to find Nissan Patrol GQ parts in Pakistan, because I love my patrol a lot. I dont know what to do.

[@einfelder8262]

Wheel bearings are a fast moving part on my GU. 75,000ks and onto the 4th set tomorrow. Guess those 33" muddies put a lot of load on them, especially the current Nitto Trails which are super heavy. I had a Jackaroo before the GU, the wheel bearings on it were bigger and the hubs where the inner and outer races sit were wider apart. Isuzu engineering vs Nissan blundering.

[@chippywarren9706]

Excellent video, thank you. I have a 1999 GR. I hear a small knock when steering left or right. It doesn't sound that major, but that doesn't mean it's not. Have you ever come across this please? Thank you again.

[@craiglord1778]

Check your front end body mounts mate. I had the same problem and I found that they needed to be replaced and the knocking stopped

[@Alex.G]

What Craig suggested seems like a good start, especially since he's had the problem before. Especially if the vehicle doesn't make the sound when stationary.

[@chippywarren9706]

@@craiglord1778 Thank you Craig, will do. The tool used in this video is hard to find where I am, but will search a bit more. Thanks for the advice. Best

[@chippywarren9706]

@@Alex.G Yep. It's a good start. Had problems with lugs and studs, sorting that out this week. When the car is up, I'll take a look there too. Many thanks. Best

[@bigfella6629]

@@chippywarren9706 A few sellers on ebay Australia sell them and post worldwide mate. www.ebay.com.au/itm/Hub-Adjusting-Socket-Tool-suits-Nissan-Patrol-GQ-GU-Y61-Front-Wheel-Bearing-Nut/121502083585?epid=6019963961&hash=item1c4a16aa01

[@markograovac5138]

Nice wheels mate. Where did you get them and how long have you had them?

[@Alex.G]

Thanks buddy! They are a REALLY old ROH wheel called 'Monsoon' and I just found a second hand pair to add matching spares to the vehicle last year. after searching second hand for two years 😂

[@markograovac5138]

Had them on our Patrols for years now. Good offset and really classy in my opinion.

[@insaynbcr]

Why not go the extra bit and repack the bearings? I gotta do this on my kiddo's Nissan Pathy here soon when I swap out the brakes. Same setup as the Patrol.

[@Alex.G]

I actually did do that while I was making this video, but I decided to keep it short just about tightening them as I have a much older video about replacing the bearings 🙂

[@insaynbcr]

@@Alex.G - Right on!

[@kenan.ibrahimov]

Hey mate good work. But I have a problem with that washer 5:25 . Mine has grooved holes on one side and even on the other side. Even side was faced outwards when I disassembling it. I put even side face inwards because I thought screws will sit in that grooves 😂

[@Alex.G]

I think I get what you mean. Kinda like they are countersunk? I don't think it would matter too much so long as the screws are tight 🙂 all it does is lock the nut behind it in place.

[@kenan.ibrahimov]

@@Alex.G thanks mate )

[@beaufighter245]

Just replaced bearings on my patrol. Too loose, could not tighten with punch and nowhere in UK for spindle nut tool. Ordered one on line from seller in Australia, arrived today, and should now resolve issue.

[@14KiloWhisky]

The tool is useless, you don't need to tigh too much

[@beaufighter245]

@@14KiloWhisky tool is pretty soft. Issue turned out to be a poor fitting bearing case and not seating in far enough.

[@ricardo3760]

I have a 1993 Y60 (GQ) with manual hubs, this socket came with the bearings i ordered for GQ's, but the socket doesn't fit, i mean i can do the Job with a hammer and dritf but it's a pain in the Ass.. Any idea if this socket is GU only?

[@Alex.G]

I have a feeling it is GU only. GQ may have a gigantic nut with folding tabs?

[@ricardo3760]

@@Alex.G Yep, lock washer behind the nut that you bend

[@adromegonagames1016]

How do I know if my bearings need tightening or replacing

[@Alex.G]

Jack the front end up until the wheels are off the ground, place your hands at the 12 and 6 o clock positions and attempt to rock the wheel. If there's movement there, you need to tighten them. Replacement is supposed to happen at intervals scheduled in your service manual, but other times to consider replacing them could be if you head them grinding, or if you open them up to tighten them and see corrosion in the area. Or also, if you tighten them as far as you can and there's still movement when you do that first test.

[@jarrod1687]

Hub needs to be in AUTO position. Another tip is to make sure your hub is clean before you start taking it off other wise you'll end up with dirt where you don't want it.

[@MrErad2008]

That's strange. My Haynes manual clearly says to put them in LOCK position before removal. 🤔

[@DonHavjuan]

How do I tell the difference between it needing tightening, and needing new bearings?

[@Alex.G]

If the bearings are pitted, rusted, have dark discolouration from overheating, or the wheel still wobbles around no matter how hard you tighten the bearings; then they'd need replacing

[@dirtcruiser]

What’s the name of the tool you used to tighten the hub?

[@Alex.G]

Errrrr....hub nut socket tool thingy, I'm not entirely sure

[@lincolnredmond8650]

www.ebay.com.au/itm/Hub-Adjusting-Socket-Tool-suits-Nissan-Patrol-GQ-GU-Y61-Front-Wheel-Bearing-Nut/121502083585?epid=6019963961&hash=item1c4a16aa01

[@billbrown5117]

Has anyone had trouble removing the hex screws, mine are very tight and i cant budge them

[@lukegreen8448]

Try tapping your allen key long end with a lump hammer next time you try, worked for me

[@suicidalsid117]

You can buy a socket attachment with the hex end, that with a breaker bar is golden

[@SC2Spectre]

I remember I went to adjust my wheel bearings on my old patrol and didn't have that handy tool, it was a nightmare.

[@Alex.G]

Yeah I used to have an old socket with 2 bits of rod welded to the sides of it. Wasn't very good for the job!

[@lukegreen8448]

Im at that point now 😂 i used 2 screw drivers to tighten the lock nut, the bearings came loose again 3 days later

[@Dylansventures_42]

Hammer and a screw driver and tap tap tap haha works

[@einfelder8262]

Get an alan key with 1/2" drive. Rattle gun then gets the hubs off without shovel on seat.....

[@cameronembrey2389]

Shove a screw driver in your disc rotor 👍 jams on caliper and wont spin 👌

[@w00kiemann]

Torque to 140 ft pound and then back it off 1/8

[@MrErad2008]

That's strange. My Haynes manual says to set hub in lock position before removing. 🤔

[@Alex.G]

Yeah I followed that instruction once it was a disaster 😅 the half the hub stayed behind on the axle

[@MrErad2008]

@Alex.G yeah that would have been annoying 😂👍

[@zacagius7366]

Why wouldn’t you repack your bearings while your there ?

[@Alex.G]

Only because getting to the other bearing in the back is a little more of a process to remove. Still not tricky but if the grease is good and there's no water in it it's quick enough to just nip it up.

[@zacagius7366]

@@Alex.G but your half way there , better off greasing them up

[@tjlucky08]

I need to get off me ass and do mine. Pretty sure mines worse than yours on the drivers side. Pax side is fine

[@lavewoxmark5702]

where tf can i buy the fuck ing tool

[@Alex.G]

Ebay is where I got it

[@VariableSpring]

You did not need to take the wheel off.

[@Alex.G]

Two problems for me with leaving it on. The design of the wheels means the hub surround is in the way unless I remove the wheel nuts anyway. And it's easier for people to see what I'm demonstrating when the wheel is off