Rear wheel bearings (with drums) - which ones to buy?

I have replaced the rear drum shoes on my 2004 LHD pluriel, and although the shoes were supplied against the registration number, they have a slightly different connection for the hand-brake cable. They are identical in every way except for that, but it seems to be fine once fitted. Also, the self-adjusters are both in need of replacement so I have some on order. There must be two types of drum units fitted as there seems to be an alternative setup with different shoes and adjusters.

But my main question is, when I search for bearings for the hub/drum, I only find sealed ball-race types but my car has two taper roller bearings fitted. Is this a standard fit or have they been replaced?

Any advice here would be welcomed.

jabvfr2019 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 08, 2020 11:23 am But my main question is, when I search for bearings for the hub/drum, I only find sealed ball-race types but my car has two taper roller bearings fitted. Is this a standard fit or have they been replaced?

Hi

I only see ball race rear bearings fitted to all the pre-2006 C3 models, not just the Pluriel.

I have no idea what you have fitted to yours, you may need to speak to Citroen with your VIN to match it up to a particular vehicle, then you can see if changes to it we made after it left the factory.


The official rear bearing kit for the pluriel is this E268579 (bearing, seal, spring clip and nut). It is the standard ball race type bearing.

jabvfr2019 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 08, 2020 11:23 am there must be two types of drum units fitted as there seems to be an alternative setup with different shoes and adjusters.

There are 3 braking systems listed for the Pluriel.

A Bosch system for cars with ABS

A TRW/Lucas for cars with ABS

and a different TRW/Lucas system for cars without ABS.

But for your diesel Pluriel, there are only 2 listed because ABS was a mandatory option on your year/engine/model.

jabvfr2019 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 08, 2020 11:23 am But my main question is, when I search for bearings for the hub/drum, I only find sealed ball-race types but my car has two taper roller bearings fitted. Is this a standard fit or have they been replaced?

The bearings shown in the drawing are not "ball" bearings. You will most likely find your "single bearing" has just come apart. While they appear to be one unit, you will find that inside the "ball bearing" it consists of two tapered roller bearings back to back.
The other option is that tapered roller bearings for trailers are very cheap (in cost and quality) and that someone may have substituted them.
Are you replacing the bearings because there is a problem or just on spec?

Thanks for the input guys.

Ozvtr, I did wonder if that might be a possibility that the bearings had separated. I would guess that is probably the case. I have had no issues with noise or play, and the car has recently passed it's test which is quite vigorous here so would have picked up any bearing issues. But I think it best for me to replace both t be safe.

I have a 6-ton press which I assume is good enough for the job?

jabvfr2019 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 09, 2020 1:41 pm I have a 6-ton press which I assume is good enough for the job?

My older son has a 2 door C4 which are notorious for having sh!t rear bearings. However, when we replaced them, the bearings just slid in and out!
I cant say that you will have the same experience but they are not supposed to be an interference fit. They may be rusted in there but your not supposed to need a press to remove and install them.

Changed the drums, bearings, cylinders, adjustors & hand brake cables on my Diesel C3 some time ago. It started off as just a check as they hadn't been apart in the then 70,000 miles & the handbrake adjustment was biassed one side. Struggled to get the shoes off & in doing so wrecked an adjustor & found a cylinder leaking.

The bearings are a tight fit, luckily the motorfactors I used fitted them for me using their press. I fell intot the trap that I thought I had Bosch equipment fitted but in fact it was TRW. I had assumed as the front brakes were Bosch the rear brakes would be . NOPE! The drums are identical, its the adjustors that are different.

Good luck!