X300 front wheel bearings

[jedo507]

Hi all,

Anyone had a go at replacing the front wheel bearings on an x300/308 model? Don't fancy the dealers quote. Is it a "do-able" job for a hands on enthusiast or do you need to be a proper mechanic?

Thanks

James

[Old Peter]

Hi James,

 

An Independent garage might be a bit cheaper.  I don't get oily hands any more, and have used the same mobile mechanic for 12 years or so, but there are some embers who are experienced in doing jobs like that.

 

There is a topic on Jaguar Owners Lounge with a list of independent garages across the country.

 

Regards,

 

Peter. 

[KEN33Y]

Hi all,

Anyone had a go at replacing the front wheel bearings on an x300/308 model? Don't fancy the dealers quote. Is it a "do-able" job for a hands on enthusiast or do you need to be a proper mechanic?

Thanks

James

 

Anything is doable Jedo, if you are an hands on type of guy then bearings don't usually present any problems on saying that; I once decided to change the rear wheel bearings on my daughters MX5 she was at Univisity at the time and I thought I could save her (me) some mony doing it myself. Fine until I pulled the cotter pin out then could I undo the hub nut? a few hours and foul and abusive language later I managed it by placing an old ring spanner on the nut that slotted within a scaffold pole, in done the job though and I was a happy chappy 

[jedo507]

Thanks for the advice chaps, found a local garage at a third the dealer quote. I think it was the 6 hours of time the dealer quoted to do the job that put me off, they did it in 2.5 hours. So maybe not that bad.

[KEN33Y]

Thanks for the advice chaps, found a local garage at a third the dealer quote. I think it was the 6 hours of time the dealer quoted to do the job that put me off, they did it in 2.5 hours. So maybe not that bad.

 

Well done, shows its worth while shopping around

[Old Peter]

Hi James,

 

I have been told by a former employee of a Main Dealer that they go by the book when quoting for a job  ---   that is the repair manual from the manufacturer which says how long a job should take.

 

A job which had to be done on my Rover was listed at 11 hours and my mechanic did the job in 7 hours which was the time he charged me for.  The dealer would have charged 11 hours even if the job had been done in 7.

 

Add the time difference and the dealer's hourly charge the job came out at half the price of the dealer.

 

Having said that, I guess that some main dealers are better than others.

 

Peter.

[KEN33Y]

hereafter can we call dealers; stealers and dealerships as stealerships 

[jedo507]

Especially when their hourly rate was £126! Either way, found a new local garage and got my wheel bearings done.