How to replace a Discovery 2 front wheel hub
Noise from one of your front corners at low speed? Dave Barker explains how to replace a wheel hub...
This 2001 Discovery 2 Td5 with 77,600 miles on the clock was making a grating noise from the front left hand side wheel when driving the vehicle slowly. The noise was also evident with the wheel jacked up off the ground so it could be rotated by hand. Both front wheel bearings had play due to wear, though the right hand bearing was still quiet.
Wheel bearings wear faster if the vehicle is used in abrasive conditions such as mud and sand, or even if it spends it life driving on rural roads. On earlier models, wheel bearings are cheap and easily replaced. The Discovery 2’s are simple enough to replace, but are much more expensive.
The Discovery has similar axles and wheel hubs to the Range Rover P38A, but the Discovery bearing is a non-replaceable type so the complete front wheel hub and bearing assembly is renewed as one. Our worn bearings were easily detected by the grating noise and the excessive play felt at the wheels, but sometimes you cannot feel any play at the wheel, and the only indication of a problem with the bearing might be when the ABS fault warning light comes on.
Often, this is mistakenly diagnosed as an ABS fault, with expensive ABS parts being replaced unnecessarily. In this case, the cause was very apparent and the complete wheel hub and bearing assembly with its attached ABS sensor would need to be replaced.
Although this is usually a straightforward replacement, the hub can sometimes be very difficult to free from the driveshaft and steering knuckle. Here, we show the left front wheel hub being replaced. The job is similar for the right-hand side, apart from the position of the ABS sensor’s connecting plug in the engine compartment.
Parts and costs
The part used was a front wheel hub and bearing assembly which comes complete with the ABS sensor. It is part number TAY10060. Expect to pay from £70 to over £350 depending on supplier and the make of product. The stake nut is part number CDU1534L costing between £2 to £7 plus vat. Garage labour charges will depend on how easily the components come apart.
Health and safty
• This job is not recommended for DIY unless you have the required competence, knowledge and facilities. This feature is intended to show how a garage might approach the work on your car, and is not a DIY guide. Work should always be carried out to Land Rover specifications and procedures. • When working on a raised vehicle, ensure it is firmly supported and stable at all times, and cannot be dislodged. Ensure lifting and support equipment is correctly rated and in serviceable condition. • Ensure the vehicle cannot move when releasing the tight stake nuts.
Click on the gallery below for our handy step-by-step guide…
