VW Golf MK5 replacing the rear wheel bearings due to noise

Article Date: 25/05/18

Tools required for replacing the rear wheel bearings on a VW Golf MK5

Tools needed to change the rear wheel bearings on a VW Golf MK5

In order to replace the wheel bearing on your Golf MK5 (140HP Diesel), you will need the following tools.
This job will take approximately 1.5 hours to do for the average home user without access to ramps / vehicle lifts and constantly jacking the vehicle up and down (possibly less but I was taking photos)

Parts required to replace the rear wheel bearing on a Golf MK5

After you have identified what size wheel bearings you require (see notes below), you will need to purchase a good quality set of wheel bearings. When I originally went to do this job I went for the best parts you can buy (generally SKF are regarded as the best) and normally what OEM parts are, although any of the below choices are suitable alternatives so feel free to use them. Wheel bearings are universal fitting (there is no "left" or "right" side). All the wheel bearing kits should come with the Bolt you need (strength class 10.9) - from what I can work out the OEM part number is WHT000229A

30MM Wheel Bearing Kits 32MM Wheel Bearing Kits
SKF (UK Seller) SKF (German Seller)
SNR (UK Seller) SNR
FAG FAG
FEBI-BLISTEIN (UK Seller) FEBI-BLISTEIN (UK Seller)

Important notes prior to fitting

Make sure you know the CORRECT size of hub required for your car, there are TWO sizes (30mm and 32mm). DO NOT use suggestions on the internet about checking the rear face of the wheel bearing for raised bits to determine if it's 30mm or 32mm as this is wrong (as a note the comments on the internet suggest the 32mm has a flat face and 30mm has raised bits). My car had a flat face but was a 30mm disc. There's a possibility that this order was reversed (30mm flat face and 32mm raised but I've yet to confirm this, I will update the article should I get notes with correct information). From what I can understand, you can identify the brakes you have fitted to your car with the option codes (they look something like PR1 in your owners manual), I'm not sure if the size of the brakes also determine the wheel bearing size too. If this were true then 312mm discs would be the 32mm, I'll update this post if I ever confirm it further

From various posts, it seems that 30mm is the common fitment size, so if you can only afford one for your car, either remove your existing one (and measure it) or order a 30mm one. Although you run the risk of this being incorrect. The only correct way to make sure is to buy both sizes. I personally think the 32mm is reserved for the 4-motion models, but haven't confirmed this yet. I think there is one method to confirm the size which involves measuring the distance from the front face > rear magnetic sensor but I need a 32mm to compare this measurement against. You could try ringing VW, but unless their information is updated. Their system normally says use Hub A, or Hub B. They normally have both in stock so don't have to worry about which one is the correct size (don't think about buying from VW - their wheel bearings are £160 each!)

UPDATE 2022

Again, this is unconfirmed. I came across a post in a forum by "Samisnake", it seems to be related to the PR codes. If correct the PR codes 1KZ, 1KD, 1KS and 1KE = 30mm BEARING, 1KJ = 32mm BEARING. It may be useful to help someone. My car had 255mm rear brakes (1KD code and was 30mm so possibly correct)

Procedure to replace wheel bearing on a VW Golf MK5

Please note concerning the steps below, I didn't have access to an impact gun (just a breaker bar / cheater bar). I found that in the second step in this procedure, the wheels where really tightly held on and kept turning even with the handbrake + brake caliper applied. I actually put the wheels back on and lowered the car, then loosened the nut whilst it was on the floor (something to consider) if you get problems. Otherwise it should remove with a bit of persuasion when it's jacked up.

A VW Golf MK5 rear caliper faceClose up of spanners for removing caliper on Golf MK5Tool needed to replace the T30 brake retaining screw on VW Golf MK5

Centre cap covering the hub retaining bolt on a VW Golf MK5M18 Spline bolt for the hub retaining bolt on a Golf MK5 wheel bearingLoosening the hub retaining bolt with a breaker bar on a Golf MK5

A close up shot of the OEM spline on a VW Golf MK5 wheel bearing boltOld M18 wheel bearing bolt for a VW Golf MK5Side by side comparison of rear wheel bearings on a VW Golf MK5

Rear wheel bearing diameter on a VW Golf MK5Rear of wheel bearing face on a VW Golf MK5Top view of rear wheel bearing on a Golf MK5

Note the "Flat" face of the bearing, online posts suggest it should be a 32mm bearing (which is why I originally purchased 32mm SKF bearings. Guess what, they weren't. They were 30mm!! If you have previously removed your caliper you can use some verniers to double check the size of your wheel bearing hub. It will be either 30 or 32mm. Make sure you buy the right ones.

Rear wheel bearing mounting point on a VW Golf MK5A new rear wheel bearing fitted on a V Golf MK530mm wheel bearing on a VW Golf MK5 rearPart number used for replacing wheel bearing on VW Golf MK5

Correct torque to use fitting a rear wheel bearing on a VW Golf MK5Marking the nut on a rear bearing to create angular tightening torque on a VW Golf MK5Tightening up rear wheel bearing Golf MK5Angle mark at 180 degrees on rear wheel bearing  VW Golf MK5

When installing the new bolt it's a two phase process.

You have now successfully replaced the wheel bearing on your car. A good wheel bearing lasts around 100k miles or more so once done it should last the life of your car.

Once the new wheel bearing is fitted, your car is then driveable again. All Axle parts should be replaced in pairs (don't bother buying 1, the other will go roughly around the same time)

Did you like this post? Why not read more of my Auto Repair articles. Or visit my blog, and read the other random stuff I talk about.

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