VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 Front wheel bearings

the right front wheel bearings on my 1941 Master Deluxe are fried. I developed a leaking wheel cylinder two weeks ago on same wheel. Upon investigating said wheel, the outer bearings are scorched and rattling. These front wheel,bearings are old ball bearing style. I have seen upgrade roller bearings but find the price enormous. What has been done with wheel bearing replacement and locating proper bearings. I really do not want to go rebuild to roller bearings due to co$t.
The Gus..

Nothing wrong with BALL BEARINGS.

Instead of the "old car supply sources" that we all know so well, obtain the GM part numbers for your ball bearings, then locate a bearing supply company in your area.

You'll save some money.

I agree.

Front wheel bearings are easy to find and not too expensive.

Although this thread is geared towards roller bearings, read through this thread.

If nothing else, there is the contact for Allied Bearing.

http://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/303789/

With the numbers on the bearings try searching on the internet.
Try www.locateballbearings.com Do your research and check prices AND manufacturers and I think you will find that good quality bearings and seals can be purchased at a very reasonable price.

Would someone kindly educate me on proper wheel bearing wear and replacement recommendations? I have parted out around 6 front suspensions and I have never gotten rid of any of the bearings that looked in good condition. I just clean them up smear a little grease on them and store them in plastic baggies. Am I anal retentive (can't stand to throw things out, or do I possess some other form of deficiency)? What do you think Gene, and Charlie?

Thanks, Mike

Many of the bearing manufacturers have bearing inspection information on their web sites. If a bearing is not rusted, pitted, or the hardness flaking or show signs of overheating then I also save them.

Gus,

I agree with all the others. Just gut the nr off the old bearing and take to NAPA, ADVANCE, AUTO ZONE, or any other regular parts house. They can look it up and get it for you.

Mike,

As to saving those old bearings, I think you are either cheap, chency or thrifty. Pick one. Actually, you are no different from the rest of us who hang on to good stuff thinking we may someday have a use for it. I think you have a good idea of storing those bearings.

Charlie

BTW: Don't bother Gene with his opinion on your storing old parts. He lives where there is snow a-- deep to a giraffe six months of the year and the rest of his time is spent researching stuff for the folks on Chatter. He has no time to drive that old 39 and so it will never wear out. You know.

Actually, ball bearings are better than roller bearings for wheel bearings. They have less friction than a roller bearing, therefore will run cooler, do not require as much horsepower, can sustain higher RPM's, and are not as critical when it comes to lubrication. Roller bearings have only one advantage over ball bearings, and that is they will carry heavier loads, such as conveyer belts or trailers that haul huge amounts of weight. I can think of no engine that you would put into a chevy that would weigh more than the old cast iron six that was originally in the car, so the original ball bearings are more than adequate.

The good quality ball bearings run in the $60 to $90 range. Instead of googling a specific car make, year, etc, for bearings, do a search for the part# like "909002 Bearing" or "B02 Bearing" and you will get a lot more choices and prices.

Some folks on ebay are selling OEM ball bearings too. There's also the 3 online vendors we all use.

As for the question Mike asked....If I am going to take something apart, and it was a real chore to do so, I'm going to replace the bearings while I'm at it, whether they look good or not.

The bearings on my rear axle all appeared to be original and were in very good condition, and since I had everything apart, I went ahead and replaced them all. I paid a total of $280 for all 6 bearings. I'm keeping one of each for reference only. Took me about 6 months to find all the bearings at reasonable prices, though.