Rear wheel bearing <em>Nissan Almera G15</em>: part numbers, symptoms of malfunction and replacement

Nissan Almera G15 (2012–2019) is a popular sedan, but after 80–100 thousand km many owners are faced with hum or vibration in the back of the car. Most often, the culprit is a worn rear wheel bearing. This detail not only affects comfort, but is also directly related to security: Bearing failure while driving can cause the wheel to seize.

In this article we will look at everything you need to know about rear wheel bearings for Almera G15: from original and analog articles to step-by-step replacement instructions. We will pay special attention compatibility with version 1.6 (HR16DE) and hub design features, which are often missed even by experienced craftsmen. If you hear monotonous hum at speeds of 60–90 km/h, which intensifies when turning - this article is for you.

Original articles and analogues: what to choose for Nissan Almera G15

Original rear wheel bearing for Almera G15 supplied under article number 40520-BM400 (manufacturer - NTN or Koyo depending on the batch). However, the original is not always available, and the price is steep - from 4,500 to 6,000 rubles. Fortunately, there are proven analogues that are not inferior in quality, but cost 1.5–2 times cheaper.

Important: bearing for Almera G15 not interchangeable with models Nissan Note or Micra — they have different landing sizes! Also note installation side: the left and right bearings are identical, but some analogues can be supplied complete with a new hub (article number 40520-BM40A — hub assembly).

• 🔧 Original: 40520-BM400 (NTN/Koyo) — price ~5,500 RUR
• 🔄 The best analogues:
  • SKF VKBA 3636 — ~3,200 ₽ (most popular choice)
  • NSK 40520-BM400 — ~3,800 ₽ (high resource, but less common)
  • FAG 713618070 — ~3,500 ₽ (good price/quality balance)
  • SNRC R165.62 — ~2,800 ₽ (budget option, but less resource)
• ⚠️ What to Avoid: cheap Chinese brands like Febi or TRW (frequent cases of premature wear).

Article	Brand	Price (₽)	Features	Service life (thousand km)
40520-BM400	Nissan (NTN/Koyo)	5 000–6 000	Original, high reliability	100–120
VKBA 3636	SKF	3 000–3 500	The best analogue, often counterfeited	90–110
40520-BM400	NSK	3 500–4 000	High resource, rarely available	110–130
713618070	FAG	3 200–3 800	Good alternative to SKF	80–100

⚠️ Attention: When buying an analogue, be sure to check marking on the bearing housing. Counterfeits SKF or NSK often have uneven engraving or lack of a hologram on the packaging. Original NTN always comes with a metal lid, not a plastic one.

Signs of malfunction: how to understand that it is time to change the bearing

The rear wheel bearing wears out gradually, and in the early stages the symptoms can be confused with transmission malfunctions or wheel imbalance. However, there are key signs that directly indicate a problem:

• 🔊 Hum or howl from the side of the rear wheel, which intensifies at speeds of 60–90 km/h and may disappear when turning.
• 🌀 Vibration on the steering wheel or body, especially when accelerating or braking.
• 🔥 Local heating hubs (you can check it with your hand after a trip - if the wheel is hot and the rest are cold, this is an alarming signal).
• 🛑 Wheel play when checking on a lift (if you grab the wheel at the 9 and 3 o'clock position and rock it, a play of more than 0.5 mm is critical).

It is important to distinguish bearing wear from brake pad wear or brake disc deformation. For example, if a hum only appears when braking, the problem is most likely in the braking system. And if the noise is constant and does not depend on pressing the brake pedal, the bearing is to blame.

How to check a bearing without a lift?

Jack up the rear wheel and spin it quickly by hand. If you hear a crunching sound, grinding noise, or feel uneven rotation, the bearing is worn out. You can also rock the wheel in a vertical plane: play of more than 1–2 mm indicates critical wear.

⚠️ Attention: If the bearing jams on the move, the wheel may become blocked, leading to a skid or accident. Do not delay replacement if you hear a hum already at speed. 40–50 km/h - this means that the part is on the verge of destruction.

Is it worth changing the bearing yourself? Pros and cons

Replacing the rear wheel bearing with Nissan Almera G15 - a task of medium complexity. On the one hand, this does not require special equipment (unlike the front hub, which requires a puller). On the other hand, there are nuances that can complicate the process:

• ✅ Advantages of self-replacement:
  • Saving 3,000–5,000 ₽ (cost of work at a service station).
  • Quality control - you choose the bearing yourself and monitor the process.
  • Experience that will be useful in the future (for Almera G15 bearings are changed every 80–120 thousand km).
• ❌ Cons and risks:
  • Needed remove brake caliper and disc, which requires caution (risk of damaging the brake hose).
  • Without hydraulic press or a puller, it is difficult to press the new bearing evenly.
  • If the hub nut is not properly tightened, it will cause premature wear new bearing.

If you have socket set, jack, wheel nut puller And vice - You can try to change it yourself. Otherwise, it is better to contact a service station, especially if you have no experience with suspension.

Step-by-step instructions for replacing the rear wheel bearing

To replace you will need:

• 🔧 Set of heads (17, 19, 22 mm).
• 🔨 Wheel nut puller (or powerful wrench).
• 🔩 Vise and mandrel for pressing the bearing.
• 🛠 WD-40 or similar cleaner.
• 🔥 Gas burner (optional if the bearing is stuck).

Step 1: Hub Removal

Jack up the car and remove the wheel. Then:

1. Unscrew two brake caliper mounting bolts (17 mm head) and hang the caliper on a wire so as not to damage the hose.
2. Remove the brake disc (you may need to knock it down with a hammer if it is stuck).
3. Unscrew hub center nut (30 mm head, tightening torque during installation - 180–200 Nm).
4. Remove the hub from the axle. If it does not come off, gently tap the wooden spacer with a hammer.

Step 2: Bearing Replacement

The bearing is pressed into the hub, so it needs to be knocked out. To do this:

1. Clamp the hub in a vice and use a mandrel (of suitable diameter) to knock out the old bearing.
2. Clean the seat from dirt and rust.
3. The new bearing is pressed in using a mandrel, pressing evenly on outer ring (Do not hit the inside under any circumstances!).
4. After installation, check that the bearing rotates smoothly, without jamming.

Step 3: Assembly

Place the hub in place, tighten the new nut (tightening torque - 180–200 Nm) and reassemble everything in reverse order. After replacement be sure to check the wheel runout - if it is there, then the bearing is installed crookedly.

Common replacement mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes that lead to premature wear new bearing or hub damage. Here are the most common:

• 🔧 Using an old hub nut - it deforms when tightened and does not provide the required torque.
• 🌀 Pressing the bearing by striking the inner ring - this leads to the destruction of the balls.
• 🔥 Overheating of the hub by the burner - if you heat it too much, it can damage the metal and shorten the life of the part.
• 🛑 Incorrect brake disc installation — if it is placed crookedly, it will cause vibration when braking.

Also many people forget check the condition of the boot bearing. If it is torn, dirt and moisture will quickly damage the part. On Almera G15 The boot comes complete with the bearing, but sometimes you have to buy it separately (item number 40528-BM400).

⚠️ Attention: If after replacement there is vibration at speed 80–100 km/hMost likely the bearing is installed misaligned. In this case, it needs to be repressed, otherwise it will last no more than 10–20 thousand km.

How long does a rear wheel bearing last? Almera G15?

Bearing life depends on several factors:

• 🚗 Riding style: Aggressive acceleration and braking reduces the resource by 20–30%.
• 🌧 Operating conditions: Driving on bad roads, mud or water will accelerate wear.
• 🔧 Installation quality: if the bearing is pressed in crookedly or the hub nut is not tightened, it will last 2–3 times less.
• 🏭 Bearing brand: original or SKF/NSK runs 100-120 thousand km, and cheap analogues - 40-60 thousand km.

In practice, owners Almera G15 The following dates are noted:

Bearing type	Average mileage before replacement (thousand km)	Notes
Original (NTN/Koyo)	100–120	With careful driving and correct installation
SKF VKBA 3636	90–110	The best analogue, but sensitive to overheating
NSK 40520-BM400	110–130	Lasts longer, but more expensive and less frequently available
Cheap analogues (SNRC, Febi)	40–60	Often fail prematurely

If you drive mostly around town and don't load the car, the bearing may last longer. But after 100 thousand km recommended check its condition regularly (listen at least once every 10 thousand km for extraneous noise).

Where to buy a rear wheel bearing for Nissan Almera G15?

There are several reliable ways to buy a quality bearing:

• 🏬 Official Nissan dealers - guaranteed original, but expensive (price from 5,500 ₽).
• 🛒 Specialty stores (For example, Exist.ru, Autodoc, Emex) - a large selection of analogues, often there are reviews of sellers.
• 🌍 Foreign sites (AliExpress, eBay) - you can find it cheaper, but there is a high risk of running into a fake.
• 🔧 Shops at service stations - sometimes they sell bearings with an installation guarantee.

When purchasing, be sure to check:

• 📦 Packaging — the original must have a hologram and clear markings.
• 🔍 Marking on the bearing - y SKF And NSK it is laser engraved.
• 📄 Warranty card - official dealers always have it included.

⚠️ Attention: There are many fake brands on the market SKF And NSK. Original SKF VKBA 3636 always comes in a box with a hologram and has a clear engraving on the outer ring. If the seller refuses to provide a photo, this is a reason to be wary.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about rear wheel bearings Nissan Almera G15

Is it possible to drive with a humming bearing?

Short-term - yes, but no more than 1-2 weeks. If the bearing is already buzzes at speeds of 40–50 km/h, it is on the verge of destruction. The risk of a wheel getting stuck while driving is very high, especially on long trips.

Which bearing is better - original or SKF?

They are comparable in terms of reliability. Original (NTN/Koyo) may last a little longer (10–20 thousand km), but SKF VKBA 3636 cheaper and easier to find. The main thing is not to run into a fake.

Do I need to replace the bearing in pairs?

No, this is not necessary. On Almera G15 The rear bearings wear out independently of each other. It only makes sense to replace them in pairs if the mileage is more than 150 thousand km and you are sure that the second bearing is also on the verge of wear.

Is it possible to lubricate the bearing to make it last longer?

No. Rear wheel bearing Almera G15 — closed type (non-removable) and already filled with lubricant at the factory. Any attempt to disassemble it or add lubricant will lead to damage to the seals and the entry of dirt.

What happens if you don't change the hub nut?

The old nut becomes deformed when tightened and does not provide the required torque. This will lead to wheel play or bearing rethreading, which will reduce its resource by 2–3 times. The nut is disposable, its article number is 40526-BM400.