DIY Bearings and Seals for Jeep Willis

The procedure for replacing the bearings and seals on the front axle of a Jeep Willis is complex, but why not give it a try? Ensure the axle is already assembled with the spindle pins and bearings installed and preloaded; gently insert the half-shaft, applying slight downward pressure and rotating it to align with the differential gears.

Inspect the inner bush for wear.

Lubricate the bush and the hub shoulder. Align the holes and install the hub with light taps using a rubber mallet; do not use screws to force it into place.

Install the bearing races in the new hub. Use a suitable tool (such as a brass bar) and tap evenly until they are fully seated: the bearings should rotate freely on the spindle. Now move on to assembling the hub and adjusting the bearings: install the lubricated inner bearing in the hub, mount the hub on the spindle, install the lubricated outer bearing, and fit the adjusting ring: first the thick one, then the inner nut. Now preload the bearings.

Tighten the inner nut by hand, then with a spanner, gradually increasing the torque while rotating the hub until you feel slight resistance. The adjustment is "sensitive". Install the locking washer (with the tab engaging the groove of the spindle) and the outer nut, which should be tightened to 50 Nm. Bend the tab of the locking washer against the outer nut. Press the new wheel bolts into the hub and install the spindle seals with a small amount of grease.