dumb question about inner wheel bearings - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**PanhandleShantyman** · 10-26-2024, 10:33 AM

Ok I did a newbie thing and took my front inner wheel bearings out for the first time for inspection without noticing which way the inner seals were put in. Now I'm really not sure which way to orient the new ones. Which way is it? Picture one or picture two? Thanks, I'm dumb. (This is from my 1969 C1500.)

**Smitty** · 10-26-2024, 10:38 AM

Window 2. We all learn as we go!

**Getter-Done** · 10-26-2024, 12:24 PM

Picture 2.

**jaros44sr** · 10-26-2024, 06:41 PM

I don’t know, I have for wheel drive but I would choose “or” since I want to see the rest of the truck

Looks like you got your answer above ^^^^

**Stocker** · 10-26-2024, 08:18 PM

As stated, #2.... If you're unsure or you don't have the correct tool, the outer surface of the seal should be flush with the outer surface of the hub.

**Getter-Done** · 10-26-2024, 09:29 PM

There are applications for grease seals and dust seal on Stuff.

This is a Grease seal.

The way I was taught is the Spring pressure does the work.

If the spring is toward the inside of the hub it holds the grease in.

If the spring is on the outside it is keeping the dust out and this is mostly the case on tractor front wheel bearings.

**PanhandleShantyman** · Yesterday, 09:41 PM

Thanks all!

The seal doesn't want to go down flush with the hub though. I tapped it in to start, then used an aluminum bearing/seal driver and pounded it trying to get it flush, but that crumpled the edge of the first seal I put in. I pulled that out and put another one in and just tapped it carefully with a piece of wood between it and the hammer till it doesn't want to go in any more, but it's still sitting a fair bit higher than the hub... These are supposedly NOS seals, they have the same embossed markings including part number as the ones I pulled out, but are a little taller. Did the size of this part change over the years? It doesn't seem to interfere with the spindle mating appropriately to the hub, so I guess I'll just roll with it, but it seems kinda weird.

**Getter-Done** · Yesterday, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PanhandleShantyman

Thanks all!

The seal doesn't want to go down flush with the hub though. I tapped it in to start, then used an aluminum bearing/seal driver and pounded it trying to get it flush, but that crumpled the edge of the first seal I put in. I pulled that out and put another one in and just tapped it carefully with a piece of wood between it and the hammer till it doesn't want to go in any more, but it's still sitting a fair bit higher than the hub... These are supposedly NOS seals, they have the same embossed markings including part number as the ones I pulled out, but are a little taller. Did the size of this part change over the years? It doesn't seem to interfere with the spindle mating appropriately to the hub, so I guess I'll just roll with it, but it seems kinda weird.

In my experience the radius of the seal will protrude just a little.

The main thing that needs to be focused on is that the Bearing Race is Fully seated.

10-26-2024, 10:33 AM	#1
PanhandleShantyman Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2023 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 27	dumb question about inner wheel bearings Ok I did a newbie thing and took my front inner wheel bearings out for the first time for inspection without noticing which way the inner seals were put in. Now I'm really not sure which way to orient the new ones. Which way is it? Picture one or picture two? Thanks, I'm dumb. (This is from my 1969 C1500.) Attached Images

10-26-2024, 12:24 PM	#3
Getter-Done Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: TN. Posts: 8,296	Re: dumb question about inner wheel bearings Picture 2. __________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________ 84 Chevy K-20 63 Impala (my high school car) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...Crew Cab Build

10-26-2024, 06:41 PM	#4
jaros44sr Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Philadelphia, Pa. 19454 Posts: 9,678	Re: dumb question about inner wheel bearings I don’t know, I have for wheel drive but I would choose “or” since I want to see the rest of the truck Looks like you got your answer above ^^^^ __________________ Semper Fi...Uncle Sam, you da man All parts offered to help are free, unless otherwise noted Dont try this stuff in my build thread, unless you have 55 years of mechanical OTJ training SAFETY FIRST AS usual, off topic They say your mind goes second, can't remember the first Jim

10-26-2024, 08:18 PM	#5
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,687	Re: dumb question about inner wheel bearings As stated, #2.... If you're unsure or you don't have the correct tool, the outer surface of the seal should be flush with the outer surface of the hub. __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

10-26-2024, 09:29 PM	#6
Getter-Done Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: TN. Posts: 8,296	Re: dumb question about inner wheel bearings There are applications for grease seals and dust seal on Stuff. This is a Grease seal. The way I was taught is the Spring pressure does the work. If the spring is toward the inside of the hub it holds the grease in. If the spring is on the outside it is keeping the dust out and this is mostly the case on tractor front wheel bearings. __________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________ 84 Chevy K-20 63 Impala (my high school car) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...Crew Cab Build

10-26-2024, 10:38 AM	#2
Smitty Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Spring Valley, Ca. Posts: 1,120	Re: dumb question about inner wheel bearings Window 2. We all learn as we go! __________________ Smitty '71 Short Fleetside Spring Valley, Ca.

Yesterday, 09:41 PM	#7
PanhandleShantyman Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2023 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 27	Re: dumb question about inner wheel bearings Thanks all! The seal doesn't want to go down flush with the hub though. I tapped it in to start, then used an aluminum bearing/seal driver and pounded it trying to get it flush, but that crumpled the edge of the first seal I put in. I pulled that out and put another one in and just tapped it carefully with a piece of wood between it and the hammer till it doesn't want to go in any more, but it's still sitting a fair bit higher than the hub... These are supposedly NOS seals, they have the same embossed markings including part number as the ones I pulled out, but are a little taller. Did the size of this part change over the years? It doesn't seem to interfere with the spindle mating appropriately to the hub, so I guess I'll just roll with it, but it seems kinda weird.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.