Posted by Cees Willig on May 28, 1998 at 02:40:20:

In Reply to: Re: Drive Train Rumble/Exhaust Ticking posted by WCB on May 27, 1998 at 18:46:11:

Perhaps ensure wheel bearings front axle have correct amount of play.
Experience with our LR 110 (later named Defender 110, just the nuance)
showed that right front wheel bearings are sensitive to develop play,
factors contributing are:
1. Prop shaft universal joints are not compensated by line up (off
road prop shaft protection = priority 1, not high speed min.
vibration rotation) --> irregular drive is offered to front axle.
2. Right hand side drive in combination with slightly tilted road
surface (in Holland to drain rain) means vehicle is "leaning" on
right hand side.
3. 7.5R16 Michelin XZY are heavy, 40 kg per complete wheel.
4. Right hand side drive has slightly different inertia hence reacts
slightly different to uneven drive offered.
5 Result is slightly vibrating wheel, which increases bearing play
and steering box play. Bearing adjustment once per 50000 km
6 Currently we use Goodyear Radial AT, 7.5R16, weight 32 kg per
complete wheel, less vibrations, bearing adjustment once per
100000 km. Bearings are at 320000 km still excellent condition.
Amount of play is hughely magnified by distance bearing to outer
wheel diameter.
7. Observing Range & Disco's: typical wear pattern on front right
side wheel can be observed, typically if tyres covered above
50 000 km.
8. Defender 90 features smaller tyres, so problem is less in
comparison with larger diameter tyres which have different inertia
characteristics.
9. On the rear axle also the wheel on the shortest drive shaft is
sensitive. At our LR 110 this is the right hand side reard wheel.
Bearing adjustment after 240000 km though.
Note that dealer/ tyre companies had no clue to this specific issue.
Success Cees Willig

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