Technical Wheel bearings

[Squire2468]

My Hobby 750 FMS motorhome - 1997, Fiat 2.5 Tdi, TAG axle, built on AL-CO frame needs new wheel bearings - front and back. What little paperwork with the vehicle simply says (handwritten) - "Fiat part." I wonder if anyone knows of any more detail?
Many thanks, Ken

 

[bugsymike]

My Hobby 750 FMS motorhome - 1997, Fiat 2.5 Tdi, TAG axle, built on AL-CO frame needs new wheel bearings - front and back. What little paperwork with the vehicle simply says (handwritten) - "Fiat part." I wonder if anyone knows of any more detail?
Many thanks, Ken

Strange it needs front and rears at the same time, generally find one wheel bearing fails / wears out/noisy at a time.
I would expect the front bearings to be standard for a 2.5 Ducato of that age and engine/weight etc. inline with chassis plate/Vin.No.
Re the rears if on an Alko chassis, it may be worth contacting one of the caravan/trailer companies that specialise in ALKO and Knott products.
Recently I needed a wheel bearing kit of seal and two bearings for an out of production towing device. I did take the old ones as a pattern having also measured them, they were able to go straight to their stock and match at Western Towing Attachments Exeter.
However if that fails generally most specialist bearing stockists can match bearings by dimensions and often the part number etched into them, which in some cases is the dimensions as in width x height x inside diameter etc. Also if a seal is part of or separate many can supply those too.

 

[Squire2468]

Strange it needs front and rears at the same time, generally find one wheel bearing fails / wears out/noisy at a time.
I would expect the front bearings to be standard for a 2.5 Ducato of that age and engine/weight etc. inline with chassis plate/Vin.No.
Re the rears if on an Alko chassis, it may be worth contacting one of the caravan/trailer companies that specialise in ALKO and Knott products.
Recently I needed a wheel bearing kit of seal and two bearings for an out of production towing device. I did take the old ones as a pattern having also measured them, they were able to go straight to their stock and match at Western Towing Attachments Exeter.
However if that fails generally most specialist bearing stockists can match bearings by dimensions and often the part number etched into them, which in some cases is the dimensions as in width x height x inside diameter etc. Also if a seal is part of or separate many can supply those too.

Many thanks for that. I was thinking along similar lines, and enquiries with parts suppliers seem happy about the front bearings - and usually have them in stock, but as you suggest, want more specific details about the rear ones. The search for front and rear is in response to its recent MOT, where advisories indicated some wear, and after past experience with a Winnebago, and a large, former outside broadcast unit Land Rover camper conversion - both of which chewed through wheel bearings at an alarming rate, I don't take chances with them!
Thanks again for the response, the work won't start for a month or so, but I'll update how it goes in due course.
Cheers.

 

[bugsymike]

The only thing you may have to worry about is some Ducato have a more heavy weight front end with larger drive shafts/CV joints which would affect wheel bearing size and also affects bottom ball joints I recall.
Though I am sure other Forum members can narrow that down.

 

[Squire2468]

The only thing you may have to worry about is some Ducato have a more heavy weight front end with larger drive shafts/CV joints which would affect wheel bearing size and also affects bottom ball joints I recall.
Though I am sure other Forum members can narrow that down.

Thanks for that - I'll look into it.
Cheers, Ken

 

[timmycm850]

hi all.

If it has std hubs uts likely to be on 15 inch wheels and I think the tougher heavy duty chassis runs bigger bearings and 16 inch wheels.

Others agree?

 

[bugsymike]

hi all.

If it has std hubs uts likely to be on 15 inch wheels and I think the tougher heavy duty chassis runs bigger bearings and 16 inch wheels.

Others agree?

Possibly, it does make sense. Though even on 16inch I think there are some variations.

 

[qianas]

For your 1997 Hobby 750 FMS motorhome, built on a Fiat 2.5 TDI with a TAG axle and AL-KO frame, finding the correct wheel bearings can be a bit tricky due to the mix of components. Since your paperwork only mentions "Fiat part," it’s likely referring to Fiat Ducato wheel bearings, but the TAG axle and AL-KO frame could mean the bearings are specific to those components.

 

[Squire2468]

My Hobby 750 FMS motorhome - 1997, Fiat 2.5 Tdi, TAG axle, built on AL-CO frame needs new wheel bearings - front and back. What little paperwork with the vehicle simply says (handwritten) - "Fiat part." I wonder if anyone knows of any more detail?
Many thanks, Ken

Many thanks to all who offered their help. FYI - the rear bearings were adjustable, and were all successfully dealt with. The front were a little more tricky. They were indeed 16 inch, and turned out to be the heavy duty version, and (after the incorrect bearings were initially supplied) successfully replaced.
So all is well, for now - until the next round of troubles!
Many thanks again,
Ken

 

[qianas]

For your 1997 Hobby 750 FMS motorhome, built on a Fiat 2.5 TDI with a TAG axle and AL-KO frame, finding the correct wheel hub bearings can be a bit tricky due to the mix of components. Since your paperwork only mentions "Fiat part," it’s likely referring to Fiat Ducato wheel bearings, but the TAG axle and AL-KO frame could mean the bearings are specific to those components.

For the front axle, the bearings should be standard Fiat Ducato bearings from that era. You can find these by referencing your motorhome's Fiat base (Fiat Ducato 2.5 TDI), and cross-checking the part numbers for front wheel bearings.