On our Easter trip up north the very slight wheel bearing noise escalated, eventually to a howling every time there was a right turn on the road. So it was time for a replacement. After some research I concluded that the Phaeton/A8 bearing a local parts shop had in stock will probably fit so instead of ordering one online and waiting for shipping, I got to work right away.

Visual inspection and side-by-side comparison was promising. All measurements are identical.



SKF doesn't state that this bearing (VKBA 6546 F) will fit Bentley applications but it does. The only additional step required is to drill a new hole to the brake rotor securing screw. You can see the original hole in the bearing through the screw hole at 9:30 o'clock and the one I drilled and tapped at the top, with the screw in place. A 5mm CO5 drill bit and M6 tap made it a one-minute fix.



I took the car to a 10-mile spin last night and everything works perfectly. Even the slight brake vibration I've experienced earlier was completely gone.

Perfect.

 

hq_,
great finding - how you concluded? any info from internet, smb confirmed they mount this to bentley and no complains? or you just did a blind shot and took measures (all of them are exactly the same???)

hope the only diff is the hole you had to drill and the material is exactly the same quality.

 

A tiny bit of background work comparing the dimensions and coming to a conclusion that it most likely is an identical part without the most expensive bit, ie. "Bentley" -labeled cardboard box.

SKF bearings are of very high quality, I most likely wouldn't have attempted this with a generic shop brand bearing. Drilling the hole with a regular HSS bit didn't work and I had to switch to CO5 cobalt + cutting oil so the materials are pretty tough.

It's even possible that SKF is an OEM manufacturer for Bentley because their customer service declined any further conversation when it came up that the bearing is going to a Flying spur.

 

What was the price difference, saving?

 

Over the counter price for this was around €160, it's available online for €100 or so. I don't know what original Bentley bearings usually go for but the prices I found seemed to vary between €445 and €650 at the moment at European retailers.

 

Thanks for that. Some saving there. Good to know.

 

I am having my engine taken out on a 2005 Bentley and while it is out, my mechanic is going to be replacing the axle assemblies on both sides. My mechanic recommended the Auto part International (API) 1700-429251 and API 1700-429252 for the left and right axles. He said he has put these on before and is very pleased with them. The entire assembly on each side ran about $100 and I am hoping they are going to work out well. I have seen mixed reviews on them, but have confidence in my mechanic's recommendation. I will know how they work out in a few weeks when I get the car back.

 

The shaft on the API replacement part is smaller than what is used on the B. The API CV axel is for the A8 Quatro. The API will bolt on to the Bentley. However, to be sure, get out a micrometer and confirm for yourself.

 

Thanks I will have him check before we put them on