Fitting rear hubs and wires to S3

[marcus]

I was wondering if anyone has written some guidance on fitting rear hubs and wire wheels?

I have a very smart set of wires albeit in excellent secondhand condition and a set of new hubs that I'd like to fit on my S3 to replace the Kent alloys. But I haven't a clue where to start, or indeed if it's something I shouldn't even consider attempting myself.

I have, on the advice of fellow enthusiasts, considered getting the experts to tackle the job for me and I may have to go down this road. No problem.

However, I have the time, inclination, proper hub puller (rental), and a large warm garage, so I wouldn't mind having a go, but obviously I don't want to start something I can't finish, or make an unsatisfactory job of it.

Any advice or guidance greatly appreciated thank you.

[mgcjag]

Hi Marcus......as re doing it yourself....you obviously have the enthusiasm and the expertise to find out how to and what to do and if required who to get in to assist......go for it yourself ......its part of the reason for owning a classic.......the knowledge u need is on this forum just use it......if u dont get much help here re post in the S3 section.....also try to find someone local thet is also an E enthusiast to help/bounce off......all the best Steve..

[Alty Ian]

Marcus

Dont be a cissy, give it a go.

The fronts are dead easy to do, just follow the workshop manual. The only hard bit can be pressing in the new bearing tracks, if you need to that is but if you have obtained hubs with bearings already fitted then happy days.

The rears a bit more tricky as often the hubs get really stuck onto the splines (especially if someone has put loctite on them as someone had done on my S1).
If that happens, unbolt the drive shafts from the discs and remove the bottom wishbone fulcrum (carefully noting what shims are fitted where) so you have the whole assembly out and find a local garage with a 10 ton press and get them to press it out, once its out you can clean up the splines and you should be able to refit them yourself easily. Same issue with pressing in the bearing tracks, also fitting the rear oil seals needs care as they are easily damaged if you aren't careful. Make sure you set the end float correctly on the rears and check the lower wishbone bearing preload is right, see the manual for how to do these things.

Good luck. Ian

[marcus]

Steve/Ian. I've had a look at the Repair Operation Manual section 64.15 rear hub and carrier assembly. I presume if I use this as a guide and at the appropriate point substitute the new hub?

However, when the manual refers to shims and bearing end float and a rear hub backlash gauge, I have to say it's a foreign language to me.

Still, I've a couple of months to sort it before I go away with the day job.

Thanks for your input.

BTW Ian. Car completely drenched in Waxoyl now. It was well worth investing in a compressor and Schultz gun, especially the extension tube. I had to drill a couple of holes in the sills and B posts, but these have now had flat faced grommets fitted. Thanks for the spire nuts Chris.

Many thanks to Chris Jackson from Tunbridge Wells for his expert advice on how to fit the correct headlamp bowl and gasket set up. Basically starting from scratch with new parts from SNGB and ripping out the plastic bodged job that was previously there.