Wheel bearings for a 1982 LWT - imperial or metric ?

[gunner59]

So finally at the stage of finishing off the "corners" and realised in browsing various suppliers websites that wheel bearing kits are either up to 1980 or 1981 to the end of the S3 production run. The former being imperial and the latter metric.
But the trusty S3 LWT illustrated parts catalogue only lists them as imperial.

Am I right to assume, always a dangerous move, that it was only the 1981 and onwards non-military S3 which had the metric bearings fitted, whereas the S3 LWT with its relatively small production numbers continued on with the imperial ones. The added advantage being for REME et al that they didn't have to maintain a stock of both imperial and metric.

I will of course be carefully measuring the old ones once I've removed them just in case.

Thanks

[88lr]

It was late 1980 when axles changed.
You almost certainly want LM603049/LM603011 (1.7812x3.0625x0.7813 inch) also used number GHB197, you can look up the latter numbers.
NSN was LV6MT7 3110-99-805-3264. It is a common part.
These were used on both front and rear, axles (inner and outer bearings).

[diffwhine]

It will be quite easy to see once you pull it apart. Up to October 1980 the inner bearing was RTC3416 and the outer was RTC3426. They are clearly different sizes. After October 1980, they went over to the same bearing inner and outer (Its the same as Defender L316, Discovery, RR Classic etc. under part number RTC3429).
The earlier complete hub seal and bearing kit is RTC3534 and the later one is RTC3537

Worth noting that on earlier vehicles, the distance piece collar on the stub axle where the hub oil seal runs is replaceable (part number 599698). If you have the later stub axles and that seal seat is grooved or corroded, its machine a part of the stub axle. You have to replace the stub axle or you can save it with a Speedi-Sleeve (SKF).

[gunner59]

Thanks both. I've been caught out before with older vehicles with newer replacement axles and newer vehicles with old style replacement axles etc.

[Ridgy]

Yeah, I was just thinking that as I read down. Plenty of parts swapping goes on so you can't assume what you have is original always!

[Loulou]

Hello,

As very well explained by Diffwhine below:
"Worth noting that on earlier vehicles, the distance piece collar on the stub axle where the hub oil seal runs is replaceable (part number 599698). If you have the later stub axles and that seal seat is grooved or corroded, its machine a part of the stub axle. You have to replace the stub axle or you can save it with a Speedi-Sleeve (SKF)."

Be very careful not to damage "599826-599827" when disassembling / destroying the old "599698".
You can then go back up quite easily by moderately heating the new "599698", in the oven in Madame's kitchen, and the "599826-599827" in the fridge, for example ...

Regards
Looloo

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