Sounds like lack of wheel bearing maintenance to me and the bearing has failed .

You wont be driving anywhere

 

Thanks off the reply.....a mate just suggested the same thing.
Annoying because I've had them checked in the last couple of months before our trip!

 

X2 for wheel bearings.

When you say you cant tighten the bolt in the centre, which one are you referring to.?

Maybe post a pi if you can.

 

It's the nut in the centre of the hub to manually lock the auto hubs. This is spinning freely but cannot remove it. Bearing may have got so hot that auto hub mechanism failed?
Regardless, if seems bearing has failed as I can rock the wheel back and fourth 5mm. So truck transport to cairns......we took out towing coverage before our trip!

Can anyone recommend a mechanic in central Cairns (closer to CBD the better) where I could get transported to for repair tomorrow?

 

Wheel bearing x3 and definitely talk to your mechanic who serviced your bearings before you left.

SAW Troll

 

Sorry to hear your bad news mate at least you broke down in a beautiful part of the country.

 

Just my advice but when I fit new bearings, check every 50 - 100 Klm three or four times before I am happy.
Cheers
Edit: with an appropriate tool! (No pun, I have the GU setup)

 

I've literally repacked/ replaced hundreds of these not sure whats so difficult. If they were checked that means nothing when you head down the road.

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I've literally repacked/ replaced hundreds of these not sure whats so difficult. If they were checked that means nothing when you head down the road.

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Dunno why but I always end up with up to 1/8 turn more each time I check. Maybe I'm not doing that paltry 4-7 or whatever it is NM correctly, after the initial tighten and release. After a few checks it's usually all good. I jack and check with a bar under the wheel every month or so, an old habit from trucking.

To the OP how'd you go, update?

 

How are you going with this?

Whereabouts on the Tableland are you?

This is my "old stampin' ground" and I'm currently at Millaa Millaa,
and I have spare bearings etc. with me, so may be able to get you mobile...

LMK if I can be of assistance


:cheers:

 

Cairns Mechanic - Wayne Boylett Mechanical, 231 Scott street. Ph 0740335999 mob. 0409062269.

The most honest mechanic I found in Cairns, in the 11 years I lived there.

 

All fixed now.
The wheel bearing had collapsed hugely and all the guts of the hub incl stub axle cactus.
Was about 5.5K km since last re packed, but this was continuous driving with the last 2k km through daily water mud and abuse on the cape.

Thanks for the advice

 

Struth...I've had mine sitting in mud bogs for hours and driven home...checked at next service and they are like brand new. I reckon the bloke who repacked them didn't know what he was doing and either didn't pack the grease properly and/or over tightened the bearing.

 

Can anyone let me know where they get a suitable spanner/socket for doing up the wheel bearing nut? I assume it is the same size as the GQ (52mm)?? I have seen home-made units but I have reservations about using a hammer & chisel.

Warren

 

I don't think there the same mate. GQ's generally came out with a hexed hub bearing nut but GU's didn't. Maybe I'm generalizing but my 04 GU doesn't have a hexed nut but a threaded disk with a series of holes around it much like an angle grinder to tighten down the disk. I say generally with the GQ's as my old one being an import had the GU setup I am explaining.