T front wheel bearing replacement ...

..... and it's problems !

HOUSTON, we have a PROBLEM :

After spirited driving in the Alpes Maritimes last summer, I noticed the typical voom-voom-voom.... sound of a worn wheel bearing in right handers, indicating that the front left was urging replacement.
Two weeks later the noise also came back in left-handers, so in fall I went out shopping for two new ones.
NOT an easy tour as it seemed. In spite of Ernie's mail pointing to Citroen CX parts, it is not an easy to find item.
Finally found some in the UK and as they had 5 on the shelf, I thought maybe let's take 4 just to have some spares in let's say 30 years from now.... ; )
Arrived as:
VKBA871 SNR

brought all to a trusted mechanic and guess what: Do NOT FIT. damn !!!
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Those are just 5 or 6mm higher. Would you be able to tell ?? seems that the INNER bearing is just a bit thicker, causing the part holding the ABS-wheel to stand out a bit.

Had my car not have ABS, probably all would have been fine, but now the ABS sensor is not insertable no more:
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Now what ?
Since the mechanic is not the give-up type either, he managed to find a single SKF VKBA 664
Hence: to be continued.........

 

Hello Ernie,
Honored to have your view on this.

It was not bolted on for the picture but only held by hand. However, bolting it on does not help, in fact we discovered the problem only then when all was turning well and it was time to insert the ABS sensor.
Before that, we even had to cut away a rubber rim that must have been there to protect from dust, but would have no function in our sealed set-up.

I am waiting for that SKF VKBA 664 to arrive and will come back with my findings.

Best regards,
Jan

 

short update on what I was told today: according to Dutch Ferrari - connaisseur Kroon, there were 4 different tipes for this car (???) to make things easier...

 

Hi Ernie,

Not measured exactly but yes - if inner "race" is the metal tube on the outer side of which the balls are rolling - then putting a water scale over them shows that the new bought bearing's inner race sticks out further.
Then they also have a rubber ring that squeezes to tight when bolted on, so we cut this dustguard away and then you can bolt it on and all turns fine......
Only the ABS sensor is no longer insertable.

Best,
Jan

 

Hello community !!

So: for a US-spec '92 T with ABS you will need the SKF VKBA 664
That is the left one on the picture

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The right hand bearing is the VKBA871 SNR that also fits and turn, but the inner race is just a bit longer causing the ABS wheel to stick out and thus enter further into the housing, passing the hole of the sensor.

Not having a non-ABS sibling at hand, I cannot verify if these VKBA871 SNR would fit those cars plug & play, but I am happy to send the bearing around.

For now I am just delighted of the quietness of a new wheel bearing allowing to enjoy the engine sound even more.

Happy motoring,

Mondi Cab
Jan