Replacing Drive Shafts and Front Wheel Bearings on a Motorhome

We struggle with various large nuts and bolts while removing the driveshafts and front wheel bearings. Once removed we refit the drive shafts, wheel bearings and track rod ends. We had many problems while replacing the drive shafts and bearings.
#vanlife
Our 1998 Hymer B564 is based on a Fiat Ducato chassis.
These items were brought from Coastal Motorhomes
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Products Fitted in this Video
Front Wheel Bearings
Track Rod Ends
Drive Shafts
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mer B564 is based on a Fiat Ducato chassis. We’ll be replacing the front brake calipers and pads in this video.
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[@PK_Blinder]

I had the joy of doing exactly the same a few months ago... The joys of working on old vans 😲😉👍

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Haha yes, PK Blinder 👍👍

[@enricodale]

I know it’s an older van but a previous owner cross-threading the hub nuts is out of order! Back in the early 80s my Dad and I were sorting out my 10yo banger and realised that somebody had fitted new track rod ends and cross-threaded them - what a pain! We carefully hacksawed them off, rethreaded the track rod and fitted the new ends that we wanted to fit. Thanks Dad, my star!

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Well done for that, enricodale. You saved yourself more work and money doing that than replacing them too 👍👍

[@robertirving5293]

One thing you know you all right now for a long time going down the road being safe what a good job both off you have done .

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Exactly, Robert but I've always got my ear listening out for new sounds 🤣👍

[@nexpro6985]

In my previous comment I forgot to say thanks for your efforts. Cheers.

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

No problem, Nex Pro. Thanks 👍👍

[@jamesmackay4652]

A lot of hard work,well done.

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks James 👍👍

[@chrissheppard6999]

Really appreciate these practical videos, Ads, I’ve a 2.5 1997 B544 which is near identical (mechanically) to Herman and wish I had a Chas to help me with some of the oilier bits! Well done both… a true labour of love! If you’re ever anywhere near Loughborough and feel like some more challenge, there’s one or two jobs I can think of that need doing, not dissimilar to some of Herman’s issues !!!!!! Nice one and keep it up guys! Chris. 😀

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks so much, Chris. I'm glad you enjoyed the video and found it useful 👍

[@geoffcampbell7846]

Oh the joys of owning an older vehicle. Well done both. A lifetime of gathering tools together really helps on jobs like these, you just have to be able to find them. 😄. 👋

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Haha, thanks Geoff 👍👍

[@metasudans]

"The King of all breaking bars! " = Scheider to Shaw: "you're going to need a bigger boat" 😁😁😁👍

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

LOL that's a good one, metasudans 🦈🛥

[@susancooper2996]

Oh wow Ads what a mammoth job you had to do there with your mate Chaz where would you be without him 😂🤣 Great work love watching your videos on mechanical jobs keep up the good work Herman is like new now. 👍

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks Susan Cooper. Herman isn't far off from being new 👍😉😂

[@terrymoreland3814]

Herman lives to tour again! Love watching these type of vlogs.👍

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks Terry. I'm glad you enjoy them. 👍👍

[@michaelteale6386]

We all need a Chas. Well done lads

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Haha, thanks Michael

[@mikewalsh3301]

Great work guys.

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks Mike

[@ari.voutilainen]

Quite a DYI job. And an informative video. 👏🏻 The funny (or rather annoying) part in these jobs is that one usually spends more time wrestling with rusty, stuck, rounded or snapping bolts than actually doing the repair itself. Snapping a bolt in the engine block is my personal favourite.

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Oh yeah, snapping bolts off is an annoying one, Ari. Thanks 👍👍

[@mickey1299]

Can i offer some advice here . Use plenty of easing fluid (I use plus-gas) . Then get the exact socket , and kind of bounce on the struggle bar with your body , using your hands . Don't apply too much weight , and whatever you do don't stand on the bar . Keep the bouncing spurts short , because the last thing you don't want , is the bolt to warm up too much , but do keep giving it further doses of fluid . I removed 4 , 22 year old waterpump bolts that way , with few problems . Scrap the bolts afterwards though , there will be no second chance . I've replaced a ton of bolts , over the last couple of years .

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks for the advice, Mickey 👍👍

[@thenoworriesnomad]

A great video....I only watch the practical videos so more of please...👍👍

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks Nomad. Glad you liked it

[@charlessmillie8774]

Hi all thanks for your comments just to say that some people have raised the the very good point to check the right amount of oil for the gearbox and to check that the seals are not leaking a couple of days after filling it's something a lot of people neglect to do the end result usually ends up with a replacement gearbox. Chas👍

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

👍👍👍

[@johnsheridan7428]

Another great 👍 show thanks again ☘🇮🇪☘

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks for letting us know, John. Glsd you enjoyed it 😊

[@sikkenga1]

What an incredibly interesting video. I was on the edge of my seat watching you guys pull this off. I can't imagine ever having to do this myself. Seems like a pretty expensive repair to me if you have to have it done by a professional. 4 weekends with two men? that's a lot. Thanks again. Leo Sikkenga Netherlands

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks for your amazing comment, Leo and I'm glad you enjoyed it. BTW I've never had a "on the edge of my seat" comment 🤣👍😁

[@sikkenga1]

@@HermanHitstheRoad On the edge of my seat is a typical Dutch expression. It is probably not used in the UK. But it means that seeing such a film you almost have your nose on the screen. We ourselves have a hymer B524 from 2002. I think it has exactly the same engine and drive. I also regularly lay under it to get rid of the rust. I hope we enjoy it for a long time to come. It's fun. I am already looking forward to our next trip through southern England.

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

"On the edge my seat" is also an expression using in the UK, Leo. We hope you enjoy your trip to England. Where are you going?

[@sikkenga1]

@@HermanHitstheRoad We hope this route: 1 > Guînes 2 > Crowborough 3 > Salisbury 4 Salisbury 5 > Bath 6 Bath 7 > Porlock 8 Porlock 9 > Barnstaple 10 > Newquay 11 Newquay 12 > Land's End 13 > Marazion 14 Marazion 15 > St. Austell 16-17 St. Austell 18 > Tavistock 19 > Brockenhurst 20 Brockenhurst (New Forest) 21 > Dover 22 > Calais

[@mobilvettamotorhome2056]

Thanks

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

That's very kind of you, @mobilvettamotorhome2056. Thanks 👍🥰

[@paulgilbert4559]

Brilliant video very informative and for those prepared to tackle such a job very useful to watch someone else do it as well as preparing them for all the possible traumas associated with rusted and seized parts! The most useful aspect is the reality check for all those who want a classic old MH and all its charm be warned this is what lays beneath😱

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks so much, Paul. I appreciate your comment and glad you found the video useful 👍

[@bleachlotus]

Well done guys

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks bleachlotus 👍👍

[@davidgranger3628]

Big boys toys need big boys tools ,chuck away the half inch stuff and go 1 inch ,chuck the puny axel stands as well .A torque multiplier should release tight nuts if you can get it in place .

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Hahah big boys toys. Thanks for the tip david granger 👍

[@davidhill1600]

Fantastic vlog guys 👍

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks David. We appreciate your comment 👍👍

[@neiljarvis8911]

Good job guys! You are very lucky to have a mate like that - what have you got over him??

[@charlessmillie8774]

I often wonder lol We are best pal's who are always there for each other A very rare thing 👍😄👍

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

What Chas said, Neil. 🤣😉

[@johnb307]

Fantastic and well done guys 👌

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks John 👍👍

[@PoshcatsCamping]

A lot of tough work there guys. Good to see Ads doing most of the work again 🤣🤣 Did Chas make the tea ? 🤣🤣 See you on the road again soon 🚐🚐 Trev

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

He made the tea a few times and breakfast. I'm glad you enjoyed the video, Trev 👍👍

[@mobilvettamotorhome2056]

Thanks for these fantastic videos. We’ve got a Y reg Ducato 2.8 tdi based Mobilvetta, so lots common. Drivers CV boot has gone and we are due on hols today. Garage were supposed to do it with the MOT but they just gave it an advisory… Thought about doing it this afternoon but think I’m going to try and do a temporary lash up with inner tube and tie wraps… :-/

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks @mobilvettamotorhome2056. You can buy CV boots that wrap around the joint so you don't need to remove the drive shaft.

[@andysteptoe6310]

Funnily enough I was thinking this morning that we'd not seen anything from you for a while & now we know why 😂. Hope all is well with you & looking forward to the next one.

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks Andy. Yes, we've not been out much at all since HermanFest in early June.

[@hornetboy3694]

Awesome video thank you

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Glad you enjoyed it, Hornetboy36 👍👍

[@nexpro6985]

I did those 14mm bolts on a Ducato last week. The only 14mm allen I have has an 8mm hex drive. Luckily It was long enough to leave about 8mm of the 14mm hex protruding ftom the bolt enabling me to get a 14mm socket on the other side of it. The 8mm drive would have easily sheared off. A friend had bought ghe camper from a nice chap who must have accidentally cut the brake sensor wire hiding the fact that there was no friction material left on the pads. Even ruined the caliper.

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Those brake sensor wires are very fragile aren't they, Nex Pro? Thanks for commenting 👍

[@peterneal7160]

Made hard work of that job! Take the Caliper/Carrier off in one unit! Get a Grinder ideally with a Cutting wheel and grind a slit in the Outer race until it's very close to touching the Drive Flange, then use a Cold Chisel to split the Race and it will fall off! 10 mins that bit will take! I did my friends on a 2002 Ducato Motorhome, took it all apart after work, took it into work, next day removed the bearings and pressed in new. Following evening refitted it all with the help of her 8 year old Grand Daughter! Because the bearings are tapered they will have a bit of play hence the MOT advisories. Once excessive then need new! Usually spinning front wheels you can hear them rumble if worn! I've had to use a long tube on my breaker bar before now just to undo Wheel nuts!! That a Gorrilla did up! Broken my Snap on bar before now doing this!

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks for the hints and tips, Peter.

[@FergusNCasey]

Jeepers that was some job. Fair play guys.

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Haha, thanks Fergus. It was 👍👍

[@surfreadjumpsleep]

You guys look like you had a good time with it. I'm not sure I'd try that job on my own!

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks Matthew.

[@markwilkinson2673]

Great vid , my Ducato 230 front wheel bearings need doing soon , i hope my "Chas" is as good as yours , happy knock free travels 😎

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks Mark. Good luck replacing your bearings 👍

[@pgmerovingian]

You need a 20 ton press to remove the bearings, I went to a truck garage, they had a 100 ton press, they literally shot out and installed the new ones all for free, but I live in Belgium😀

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Yeah, I think they used a 20t press to do ours as well, Paul. 👍👍

[@nicholaspayne8151]

Interesting and helpful video. So when you replace the bearing you just use the original spacer. I thought the drive shaft nut needed torquing to 400nm. This is a job I will have to do sometime but I have no noises yet🤞

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Yes, you need to use the original spacer, Nicholas. Do the wheels move when you rock them?

[@nicholaspayne8151]

@@HermanHitstheRoad yes , I’ve had advisories on and off all the time I’ve had the van.

[@trailingarm63]

A HGV workshop will have the tools required to suit those kind of torque settings.

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks Trailing Arm. We'll think of that next time

[@derektaylor6713]

Bicycle pedals have left and right hand threads. But I've proved that if the pedals on my Cube E bike comes loose, if you pedal the bike the pedals gradually unscrew and fall off. In other words, instead of pedaling against the thread and it stays tight, it actually unscrews. To my mind the left and right hand threads should be the other way round. It's the same with my wife's Scott and my other non e bike I have.

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

I'm not sure I understand what it is you're saying, Derek.

[@derektaylor6713]

Well, ads, you said the centre wheel nuts on Herman are left and right hand thread (or are they?) This is for a reason. The same reason bike pedals are left and right hand thread. But I think on bikes they are wrong. But I could be wrong. Hope this helps. Sorry to confuse you. You did really well doing that job.

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Oh I see, Derek. No, both sides are clockwise to tighten. Not like pedals at all.

[@ladydunraven]

Great vlog as always, not sure why Chas was there, didn’t seem to do much to help you Ads lol 😂

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

I know, right? LOL 🤣👍😉. I only go round to see Clarence 🐕

[@sleepycatpictures1176]

I take my hat off to you too. That must have been a proper pain. And all because the previous numpty did it wrong! 500nms, that's pretty hefty!

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Haha thanks, Sleepy Cat Pictures it was tougher than it looks on the video

[@sleepycatpictures1176]

@@HermanHitstheRoad I can imagine only too well!

[@webgibs]

Hey Adds your scaring me so many faults 😰 lucky you have a man who knows

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Well, it's a 25 year old motorhome, @webgibs 🤔👍

[@webgibs]

@@HermanHitstheRoad oh of course ..it's a real classic ...we love the German built Hymers maybe too pricey for us atm 😕 hope you get Herman fixed up soon best wishes Rich

[@jimb7406]

That looked like a pig of a job. Well done both for persevering. Having had big trouble trying to change a wheel bearing on my driveway I would always now let the pro's with the proper hydraulic presses do these jobs. My problem was the driveshaft wouldn't move out of the hub - splines were corroded solid. Took 30t press just to get the driveshaft out. Out of interest did you replace the brake caliper carrier bolts?

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks for commenting, Jim. No we didn't replace the carrier bolts

[@surfreadjumpsleep]

Do you remember which front wheel bearing kit you installed on Herman? Was it the FAST brand or another? I can order FAST brand here, but I've noticed Coastal doesn't sell FAST's front wheel bearing kit for my size Ducato 2.5 TDI. Mine is the Q18 which stands for 1.8 ton I've learned. Thanks so much.

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Hi Matthew. I think it was the FAST one. Here's the link coastalmotorhomes.co.uk/talbot-express-fiat-ducato-peugeot-j5-boxer-citroen-c25-relay-front-wheel-bearing-kit.html

[@surfreadjumpsleep]

@@HermanHitstheRoad That's good I just ordered a couple of those for myself

[@surfreadjumpsleep]

7:05. Chaz's comments has me flashing back to my last trip to the mechanic. A simple alternator swap resulted in him using a torch for a very long while to try and remove the bottom bolt. I can't imagine why he had to do that. Not sure if his impact driver was underpowered or what. He even melted a perfectly good auxiliary belt in the process which he could have easily just taken out of the way first. This guy had worked in the UK as a mechanic. So now I'm wondering what else is in the area of the bolt on the bottom of the alternator that now might be singed or warped. heat travels quite well through metal. You have seals and all sorts of things down there. Aggh! I guess you wouldn't know because your camper is even more compact in the engine bay than mine, despite the engines being nearly identical. Any idea how far away might have been damaged from using that torch?

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Wow, Matthew that's ridiculous. I don't know what else he could have damaged but I do hope everything is fine.👍👍

[@mickey1299]

Lol , oh god . Yep already been there ! , couple of years ago . I read about the job too , and instantly figured i didn't have the tools to tackle it . So i actually got some professionals to do . Local commercial workshop , and what a palaver that was . Three days they said , took them over a week before they even started it , they just kept phoning me saying there's nothing wrong with them . I told there was , it came up as an mot advisory . Then they rang back saying , they found play in the off side . Great i said , but it's the nearside , that was the advisory . There was a huge row , and threats were made , but they finally got on with the job . There was a huge bill , but because of the threats the boss took over , and i never dealt with the office again . He knocked a chunk of the bill as well , but the van has never been back , and never will so long as i own it . What they never knew , was that i knew the original owners , and used to deal with them back in the 80's . They would have been appalled with the service i got . Still , i deal with another workshop now (i'm a trucker by the way) , so should the van ever need work of that caliber again , it will go there . Mind you having said that , not only does my mate have a 6 ton press , but i've also found someone with a 20 ton press . And i can get access to a torgue wrench , sufficient to nip the carrier bolts up . The good news is the rears are much easier , though when i did mine (yep been there as well) , i found a wheel cylinder leaking , when i removed the hub . That's what led to the rear brakes being completely overhauled (corrosion) , and pretty much everything aft of the fuel tank been replaced .

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Thanks for the comment, Mickey. On the 5th weekend we had a rear brake fail on us and had to replace the rear wheel bearing, brake shoes and drum. We didn't film it but we have a video of the last time we did the brakes and bearings. We've had a similar issue with our local garage. MOT passed 3 years in a row with a leaking shock until it failed on us on the West coast of Ireland a few years ago. Never been back

[@ttxela]

All that and you forgot to paint the calipers red! 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

I did start preparing the hubs for paint but it would have been another weekend

[@peterneal7160]

Nah Yellow lol

[@ttxela]

@@HermanHitstheRoad and another video :) 👍

[@ttxela]

@@peterneal7160 I did my car ones purple :)

[@surfreadjumpsleep]

Hang on.. is the hidden nugget In your vid the idea that the whole project would have been much easier and doable had the original nuts not been cross threaded? 2nd question: if you had a good mechanic available for about 40usd per hour, do you think you might have just had them do this job for you?

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Hi Matthew. Yes to the first question. Without the long breaker bar and the air compressor socket gun those nuts would still be on. I've been put off using mechanics due to my local letting a leaking shock absorber pass the annual MOT for three years. It then failed on our holiday in Ireland. So, no I wouldn't ask a mechanic to do it. However, I wouldn't have been able to do this without strong Chas and his tools. Great comment, thanks

[@fredflintstone1428]

Fun and games.....I've had loads of Hymers and went to a few Hymerfests (are they still going?). I got pissed off with Facebook and as Classic Hymers used that space, I fell off the radar. I did a builder's van into a camper van and spent a fortune. I can't seem to sell the bloody thing now. Here's the first renovation: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWLJg5aQhbBgmck Here's the re-vamp I did to try and sell it. studio.kzbin.info8LPLUYv0VcY/edit Here's a massive Euramobil Integra 810 I bought during lockdown......great van but too damned big for UK roads: kzbin.info/aero/PLoro0LCx7dS5o7caE6Os400HrglXEATO- I went and bought a Pilote D34 in the summer and love it. It needed much more work than I first thought, but it's a great little camper now. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4eWfnZ9nJWDi5Y Happy camping

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

That's great, Fred. Thanks for sharing. I've always wanted to build a campervan 👍

[@fredflintstone1428]

It pisses me right off, why they use those STUPID allen key bolts. WHY? Just use a normal bolt that you can get a spanner on or an adjustable wrench if there's a build-up of rust.

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

I know. I guess it has something to do with how tight they need to be and the risk of rounding it off, 🤷. Same for me with a slotted screw rather than a Philips screw

[@fredflintstone1428]

That's not a proper breaker bar........I had one of them....useless.....now I've got a proper breaker bar (cost about £80 about four years ago, so will be around £130 now). With this bar I have to be careful not to break nuts and spindles.

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

Haha thanks Fred 👍👍

[@kitewaldo]

I just last week tried to replace my long drive shaft, but could not get it come out even after i undo those 2 locking bolts! This video skip that part? 🫣🥲

[@HermanHitstheRoad]

It might be a bit stuck in the bearing carrier, 77Zone. You need to gently tap the bearing away from the gearbox.

[@kitewaldo]

@@HermanHitstheRoad I did try it 😁 it did not move at all.