Started work on this last night, got it all stripped out and found 1/2 inch of compacted sand / grit in the bottom of the hub?!

How that / how long that has been there is anyone's guess - for sure that's why my bearings had failed...

Hoping to build it all back up tonight and test drive :)
 
Sounds like you're making some progress. Keep us updated and put some pictures up.
 
Ugh this is driving me nuts?!

I've put new bushes and bearings along with new pins. When rebuilding the hub, the top pin won't tighten up, even with all the shims there is loads of play - without any shims there is a gap that I can't close? surely I'm missing something? There is a new fabric washer (one) in the cup

I'm wondering if the centre wheel bearing will help take up some slack?

Sorry to just blurt it out but I think I'm going mad?!
 
Did you remember to fit the breakpipe bracket which sits under the plate as well. You also need to make sure this is fitted when setting the torque rates on the bearings.. also I seem to remember having to use some of the old shims as well as the new ones supplied.. Hope that helps .. also check to make sure the bearing is fully home in the housing.. mine's a 95 300tdi not sure what differences there are to yours

...glad you got it sorted.. what was going wrong out of interest..
 
I hadn't fully tightened the two bolts down and didn't realise it would "lift" the hub and lower taper bearing into place

All appears well even though I feel a bit stupid...

Thanks for your help though :)
 
All appears well even though I feel a bit stupid...

I managed to put the races in the wrong holes in the swivel ball on my SIII, and then fit it upside down, and compound that by refitting everything else. I came back from a lunch break and noticed the brake drum pointing 'downhill'.

Now that's properly stupid, you've just scratched the surface.
 
Too late for you now, but for anyone else doing this, put the bearings in the freezer overnight beforehand - makes them easier to press in.
 

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