Front Bearings Good for 140mph ??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bcdeutsch731 · 12-21-2011, 08:15 AM

I have the stock front suspension on my truck with the stock disc brakes and wanted to know if there is a good upgrade to the front brakes/bearing. Next year my truck should be running in the 9's around 140mph and I just don't trust the small bearings in the front. I'm running 5 lug 15" wheels and would like to stay with that.
Thanks
Brett
Edit: I forgot to mention that my truck has a Duramax diesel in it and the truck weighs 5100lbs total. Front is 3160lbs and rear is 1920lbs. That is why I don't like the small bearings in the front.

*WAAF* · 12-21-2011, 09:04 AM

I highly doubt you added more weight with the swap.. than those bearings are designed for..
iirc a 3/4 ton the difference is in the balljoints.. and arms.. not the bearings..
I'd worry about the correct grease and the seal over the bearings
you change the lower a arm mounting u bolts to the thicker 73 up type?

bcdeutsch731 · 12-21-2011, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WAAF

I highly doubt you added more weight with the swap.. than those bearings are designed for..
iirc a 3/4 ton the difference is in the balljoints.. and arms.. not the bearings..
I'd worry about the correct grease and the seal over the bearings
you change the lower a arm mounting u bolts to the thicker 73 up type?

The only thing I have done with the front suspension is add the big block springs. You are saying the u-bolts on the 73 and up are thicker?

SCOTI · 12-21-2011, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcdeutsch731

I have the stock front suspension on my truck with the stock disc brakes and wanted to know if there is a good upgrade to the front brakes/bearing. Next year my truck should be running in the 9's around 140mph and I just don't trust the small bearings in the front. I'm running 5 lug 15" wheels and would like to stay with that.
Thanks
Brett
Edit: I forgot to mention that my truck has a Duramax diesel in it and the truck weighs 5100lbs total. Front is 3160lbs and rear is 1920lbs. That is why I don't like the small bearings in the front.

I would compare the physical size of the bearings between a 1/2 ton & 3/4 ton truck. See if the p/n's are different & if so, go to a parts store & compare the 2 bearing sets.

It would also go w/o saying (& I'm sure you've already are) but run the best bearing money can buy.

jimmydean · 12-21-2011, 03:23 PM

The u bolts are thinner on the 60-66, but I think the 67+ are the same.

SCOTI · 12-21-2011, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmydean

The u bolts are thinner on the 60-66, but I think the 67+ are the same.

The front crossmember a-arm U-bolts for drum brake trucks are smaller vs disc brake trucks (not just 60-66). U-bolts for 73-87's are the same for C10's - C30's.

GCncsuHD · 12-21-2011, 03:48 PM

Not sure about the speed ratings, but as far as weight, something to look into is

88-98 C1500 (5x5) and C2500 light duty (6x5.5) both share the same spindles and bearings. Maybe go to a parts store, pick up bearings for that application and compare. IIRC square body LCAs and the upper BJs off a 88-98 C2500 will make those spindles work for you.

KQQL IT · 12-22-2011, 03:16 AM

When i was young and retarded. My poor old 77 got whipped hard. Had a 2.73 gear and nasty 406. And it would run 5800-6000 in high gear. And leave it there till the oil pressure went away. Still cant I survived stunts like that much less the bearings or the radial t/a's.
Posted via Mobile Device

oldspowered67C10 · 12-22-2011, 03:44 AM

Quote:

When i was young and retarded. My poor old 77 got whipped hard. Had a 2.73 gear and nasty 406. And it would run 5800-6000 in high gear. And leave it there till the oil pressure went away. Still cant I survived stunts like that much less the bearings or the radial t/a's.

Ahh youth, I cant count all the times I had my 67 well over 130 w/ radial T/As for way too long(big block w/ 3.08 gears). Anyways, I kinda doubt the bearings will be the failure point but a temp gun on the rotor centers might tell a story.

fastwillie 696969 · 12-22-2011, 05:59 AM

keep the wheels up as long as possible

*WAAF* · 12-22-2011, 07:06 AM

taller tires slow the bearings down

edhtrd71 · 12-26-2011, 01:22 AM

Dont hold me to it but I think your pretty safe with the stock bearings. I agree to run the best ones you can find. I only use timken bearings but Im not sure if these are the best. In general the taper wheel bearing is very robust and larger than needed in most vehicles.

12-21-2011, 08:15 AM	#1
bcdeutsch731 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: West Chicago, IL Posts: 140	Front Bearings Good for 140mph ??? I have the stock front suspension on my truck with the stock disc brakes and wanted to know if there is a good upgrade to the front brakes/bearing. Next year my truck should be running in the 9's around 140mph and I just don't trust the small bearings in the front. I'm running 5 lug 15" wheels and would like to stay with that. Thanks Brett Edit: I forgot to mention that my truck has a Duramax diesel in it and the truck weighs 5100lbs total. Front is 3160lbs and rear is 1920lbs. That is why I don't like the small bearings in the front. __________________ 1969 C10, 2005 LLY Duramax, Wagler Competition built motor, Bullseye Power triple Turbo's, Rossler th400, Neal Chance Racing Converter, Danville Performance tunning. 8.3@168mph 1700+ HP Last edited by bcdeutsch731; 12-21-2011 at 08:44 AM.

12-21-2011, 09:04 AM	#2
WAAF Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: ma Posts: 278	Re: Front Bearings Good for 140mph ??? I highly doubt you added more weight with the swap.. than those bearings are designed for.. iirc a 3/4 ton the difference is in the balljoints.. and arms.. not the bearings.. I'd worry about the correct grease and the seal over the bearings you change the lower a arm mounting u bolts to the thicker 73 up type?

12-21-2011, 03:23 PM	#5
jimmydean Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 3,728	Re: Front Bearings Good for 140mph ??? The u bolts are thinner on the 60-66, but I think the 67+ are the same. __________________ New Project: 1966 LWB C20 Plans: 1/2 ton conversion Dropmember front Dropmember rear Corvette discs Restored raised bed http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=4295210

12-21-2011, 03:48 PM	#7
GCncsuHD Charlie Daniels w/ a Tq Wrench Join Date: May 2009 Location: Statesville, NC Posts: 1,570	Re: Front Bearings Good for 140mph ??? Not sure about the speed ratings, but as far as weight, something to look into is 88-98 C1500 (5x5) and C2500 light duty (6x5.5) both share the same spindles and bearings. Maybe go to a parts store, pick up bearings for that application and compare. IIRC square body LCAs and the upper BJs off a 88-98 C2500 will make those spindles work for you. __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ 67 C10 Shortbed "Great Grandpa's Truck" I6 3 on the Tree 71k original miles 5.3 swap in the works 69 K5 Blazer-Family Beach Cruiser Project 78 K30 Dually Semi-Retired Fire Truck 350/SM465 35"s SOLD01 2500HD ECSB 6.0 4x4 5.13's 8" lift 38"s

12-22-2011, 03:16 AM	#8
KQQL IT At the body shop. Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Land of fruits and nuts. Posts: 5,254	Re: Front Bearings Good for 140mph ??? When i was young and retarded. My poor old 77 got whipped hard. Had a 2.73 gear and nasty 406. And it would run 5800-6000 in high gear. And leave it there till the oil pressure went away. Still cant I survived stunts like that much less the bearings or the radial t/a's. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ " That didnt make it any newer " " Dont antique the equipment "

12-22-2011, 05:59 AM	#10
fastwillie 696969 ~Rest In Peace~ Join Date: May 2005 Location: CALIFORNIA NOR CAL Posts: 9,707	Re: Front Bearings Good for 140mph ??? keep the wheels up as long as possible __________________ is it fast ? it has a lighting bolt donut? B___H please, I can remove 90% of your so called "beauty" with a kleenex

12-22-2011, 07:06 AM	#11
WAAF Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: ma Posts: 278	Re: Front Bearings Good for 140mph ??? taller tires slow the bearings down

12-26-2011, 01:22 AM	#12
edhtrd71 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Edinburg, Texas. Posts: 194	Re: Front Bearings Good for 140mph ??? Dont hold me to it but I think your pretty safe with the stock bearings. I agree to run the best ones you can find. I only use timken bearings but Im not sure if these are the best. In general the taper wheel bearing is very robust and larger than needed in most vehicles.

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