I need to change a front wheel bearing on our caterham racer.
Anyone done one before any tips?
Any special tools we need?

I've done rears before but not fronts on the caterham.
It has the castelated nut with a split pin, is there a set torque for the nut?
Cheers

Mike

[Edited on 20/9/11 by mikeb]

If it's the same as the triumph herald etc then its about 5ft lbs, which is basically finger tight.. Just done mine and it just felt wrong to not wind it tighter!
No special tools needed.

These are adjustable bearings ------ you can adjust excess play provided the bearing isn't noisy or hasn't been over-heated.

For adjustment start by tightening to about 25 foot/lbs (about the same as when tightening a 8mm bolt) spin and shake/push-pull the wheel a couple of times then back-off the nut a bit and re-tighten so as to just make good contact wit the bearing washer (as already said 5 ft-lbs ie.just finger tight + a bit), then check for binding or excess play.

Take the car for a gently test drive, afterwards check for excess play or over heating.

If your car has Triumph style trunnions I would re-new the one at that side at the same time.

[Edited on 20/9/11 by britishtrident]

Interesting point about the trunnions. If the old brass ones are fitted they should only ever be OILED with ep90 gearoil, never grease. The threads have a habit of snapping if they are abused (I have broken 2, both at parking speeds).
I have used the newer caterham style uprights with a spherical bearing on my spitfire build. We shall see how they work, but early indications are that they should last well, even if they are not the ideal solution. But there are always limitations.

its the newer style stub axle caterham put on from 2003 onwards, no idea if its still classed as a trunnion?
So is the advice still valid?
Its been nipped up once before but is showing excessive play again so they need changing

Mike

[Edited on 20/9/11 by mikeb]