Wheel bearing question

[chillman88]

Hey guys, I've never repacked wheel bearings before. All the races look great except this one. Is it okay to use like this? It's not bad but it's not "clean" like the other ones are.

[GM-power]

Can you feel anything running your finger nail and finger over it. Are your bearings tight and roll smooth in the race?

[CSHADES]

I use the general rule when it comes to wheel bearings and races. If it looks iffy replace it. Bearing sets are not expensive why take a chance of ruining the spindle and having a break down?

[Dead Parrot]

Might price a new one so you know how much money is involved. Sometimes new parts are fairly low cost. Assuming that is a front brake rotor/hub, measure the thickness of the brake rotor. Might need a new one anyway if the rotor is too thin.

Make sure the races are firm in the hubs. I was packing bearings one time and discovered the races on both hubs were free spinning in the hub.

Hard to tell from pictures. If the feel of that one matches the feel of the others, and everything else checks out, I would reuse unless you are chasing some symptom that indicated bad bearings.

[chillman88]

Originally Posted by GM-power

Can you feel anything running your finger nail and finger over it. Are your bearings tight and roll smooth in the race?

I'll check when I get home. Bearings are soaking in cleaner right now. It felt smooth with my finger but I never tried with my nail.

[chillman88]

Originally Posted by Dead Parrot

Might price a new one so you know how much money is involved. Sometimes new parts are fairly low cost. Assuming that is a front brake rotor/hub, measure the thickness of the brake rotor. Might need a new one anyway if the rotor is too thin.

Make sure the races are firm in the hubs. I was packing bearings one time and discovered the races on both hubs were free spinning in the hub.

Hard to tell from pictures. If the feel of that one matches the feel of the others, and everything else checks out, I would reuse unless you are chasing some symptom that indicated bad bearings.

Advance Auto has a set of National bearing and race for $20, I just don't have $5 to spare this week and want to get this back together. Rotor checks out good. I'll look into it. Really I'm just repacking since I just bought the truck and it's been sitting 5-6years, the grease looked almost like new.

[GM-power]

When you turn the bearing in the race apply pressure to center of the bearing as you spin. You'll be able to feel if it's not rolling smooth. Really as long as it's not grooved(looks like wear rings to me) and the bearing is good let it rock. No sense in spending money when not needed. If ya get a bearing packer it makes life faster and easier! Make sure not to over tighten then when you go back together. I like to get the about a quarter turn when it firms up and rock it in and out then spin it. Adjust from there.

[chillman88]

I got it cleaned up and spun it on the race with pressure and there is no roughness. I ran my fingers and fingernails across it and it feels smooth. Should be able to put her back together tomorrow!

Thanks guys!

[Matt Man]

If you buy bearings buy some better quality bearings....national bearings are china specials.

[chillman88]

Originally Posted by Matt Man

If you buy bearings buy some better quality bearings....national bearings are china specials.

I didn't know that, thank you!

[barry1982]

If the bearing turns smoothly in the race, I would just repack with a good quality wheel bearing grease. These bearings last for many years if you repack them every so often......

[chillman88]

Originally Posted by barry1982

If the bearing turns smoothly in the race, I would just repack with a good quality wheel bearing grease. These bearings last for many years if you repack them every so often......

Yup, that's exactly what I did. I will plan on replacing them next time I repack them. I packed them with vavoline synpower grease. They feel a little "tight" but I think that will go away after I run them. The grease seemed pretty thick.