John Z---early axle bearing question
12-21-2010, 08:35 AM
#1
Race Director
Thread Starter
Member Since: Mar 2001
Location: Mustang OK
Posts: 13,852
Received 3,772 Likes
on
1,674 Posts
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2015 C1 of the Year Finalist
John Z---early axle bearing question
John,
First, a little background before the question.
The 55-56 pass cars and 56 Vettes used the same rear axle bearings and they were ball bearings.
The 57 pass cars and 57 Vettes used the same axle bearing. They were ball bearings.
The 58-64 pass cars and 58-62 Vettes used the same axle bearing. They were ball bearings, ALTHOUGH, the Vettes with posi got roller bearings.
ALL 55-56 rear axle bearings that I've ever seen, and replacement bearings are ball bearings. BUT, several months ago I was installing new bearings on the axles from a customer's 55 Nomad. The bearings that were on the 55 Nomad axles were ROLLER bearings, which I have NEVER seen on any 55-56 axle. As soon as I finished installing the bearings, I looked through my old parts books. My 59 parts book was the only one which listed a ROLLER bearing for 55-56 axles!!!! Never knew that!
So John, here's my question (the guys over on the 55-57 forum don't seem to know). Were roller bearings ever PRODUCTION installed on ANY model of 55-56 Chevy or 56 Vette????
By the way, I understand that Autozone lists a roller bearing for the 55-56 axles.
Tom Parsons
First, a little background before the question.
The 55-56 pass cars and 56 Vettes used the same rear axle bearings and they were ball bearings.
The 57 pass cars and 57 Vettes used the same axle bearing. They were ball bearings.
The 58-64 pass cars and 58-62 Vettes used the same axle bearing. They were ball bearings, ALTHOUGH, the Vettes with posi got roller bearings.
ALL 55-56 rear axle bearings that I've ever seen, and replacement bearings are ball bearings. BUT, several months ago I was installing new bearings on the axles from a customer's 55 Nomad. The bearings that were on the 55 Nomad axles were ROLLER bearings, which I have NEVER seen on any 55-56 axle. As soon as I finished installing the bearings, I looked through my old parts books. My 59 parts book was the only one which listed a ROLLER bearing for 55-56 axles!!!! Never knew that!
So John, here's my question (the guys over on the 55-57 forum don't seem to know). Were roller bearings ever PRODUCTION installed on ANY model of 55-56 Chevy or 56 Vette????
By the way, I understand that Autozone lists a roller bearing for the 55-56 axles.
Tom Parsons
Last edited by DZAUTO; 12-21-2010 at 11:16 AM.
....
12-21-2010, 11:25 AM
#3
Tom, I'm guessing this Nomad is the same one you refer to in your article; http://www.socalsacc.com/C1%20Rear%2...20Bearings.htm ..with the GM p/n 7451414 from your old parts book ?
While I can't assist in your original question, the only (56 vette/55-56 pass) rear wheel bearing I currently see listed on Autozone's website is the standard RW507ER ball bearing.
I do know the NDH p/n JNR1542 roller bearings (58-62 Posi) came with extra wide retainers (ie. lock rings) in both production and replacement applications, rather than the thinner retainers used in production non-posi, ball bearing applications, or what you receive today when ordering a RW607NR or RW307R ball bearing. I also know that at some point in time, the JNR1542 roller bearings began shipping over the counter with TWO of the thinner retainers (per side), rather than a single thick one. Probably to streamline production & cut costs. Not sure when that change occurred though.
Did you happen to keep the old bearing and lock ring you took off the Nomad for reference ? and have you checked your question with Joe Lucia ("p/n Joe") on that "other" discussion board yet ?
...ohh and by the way, tell me it wasn't you who titled the article ""C1"" Rear Axle Bearings ?
While I can't assist in your original question, the only (56 vette/55-56 pass) rear wheel bearing I currently see listed on Autozone's website is the standard RW507ER ball bearing.
I do know the NDH p/n JNR1542 roller bearings (58-62 Posi) came with extra wide retainers (ie. lock rings) in both production and replacement applications, rather than the thinner retainers used in production non-posi, ball bearing applications, or what you receive today when ordering a RW607NR or RW307R ball bearing. I also know that at some point in time, the JNR1542 roller bearings began shipping over the counter with TWO of the thinner retainers (per side), rather than a single thick one. Probably to streamline production & cut costs. Not sure when that change occurred though.
Did you happen to keep the old bearing and lock ring you took off the Nomad for reference ? and have you checked your question with Joe Lucia ("p/n Joe") on that "other" discussion board yet ?
...ohh and by the way, tell me it wasn't you who titled the article ""C1"" Rear Axle Bearings ?
Last edited by Viking427; 12-21-2010 at 11:53 AM.
12-21-2010, 11:35 AM
#4
Team Owner
Member Since: Oct 2000
Location: Washington Michigan
Posts: 38,899
Received 1,858 Likes
on
1,101 Posts
As far as I know, there were no factory-installed roller rear axle bearings until the Posi application in 1957, although there may have been aftermarket (non-GM) replacement roller bearings available for the '55-'56 application.
12-21-2010, 12:33 PM
#5
Race Director
Thread Starter
Member Since: Mar 2001
Location: Mustang OK
Posts: 13,852
Received 3,772 Likes
on
1,674 Posts
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2015 C1 of the Year Finalist
I'll copy/paste my question over on the "other" site for Joe (ya John, I know you're over there too).
Tom Parsons
10-02-2014, 02:34 PM
#6
I replaced those roller bearings MANY months ago, but I DID keep one of the just for posterity since I had never seen nor heard of a roller for the 55-56 application. I'll have to look at the roller when I get home and see if it is ND, Hyatt, Delco, whatever. As I said, I had trouble believing my eyes when I removed a roller from a 55 axle. But once I saw it listed in my 59 parts book, I knew it was the real deal!
I'll copy/paste my question over on the "other" site for Joe (ya John, I know you're over there too).
Tom Parsons
I'll copy/paste my question over on the "other" site for Joe (ya John, I know you're over there too).
Tom Parsons
I was able to buy two new Hyatt? JRN 1542 roller bearings to install on my new axles.
Once ready to press on I discovered the one bearing was too small - '55/'56 size.
I had a friend machine a spacer ring that I pressed on over the undersize bearing and with some GM "brush on" gasket sealer in leu of the o-rings installed the bearing.
For all those worry warts worrying about leaks when using bearings with ONE o-ring - I didn't have any LOL
This year the seal in that bearing started leaking (through the seal) and I replaced the bearing with the RW607 bearing.
The '55/'56 roller bearing uses the 3750294 seal same as listed for the '57 and up roller bearing.
10-02-2014, 03:00 PM
#7
Race Director
Thread Starter
Member Since: Mar 2001
Location: Mustang OK
Posts: 13,852
Received 3,772 Likes
on
1,674 Posts
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2015 C1 of the Year Finalist
MANY, MANY years ago, there WAS a roller bearing available for the 56 Vettes (and 55-56 pass cars). The ONLY source that I have ever been aware of for the 55-6 roller bearing was GM (New Departure/Hyatt). And in all my life on this planet, I have personly seen only ONE car with the smaller (55-6 style) roller bearing. I replaced the bearings in a customer's 55 Nomad (Hmmmmmmmmmmm, did Nomads get rollers????) which had rollers. Since I had never seen any, I saved one of the old berings. Still have it.
After replacing the bearings for him, I pulled the parts book to search for 55-6 roller bearings and sure enough, I found them listed in my 59 parts book. Haven't seen them listed in later parts books, so I guess they didn't remain available for long.
After replacing the bearings for him, I pulled the parts book to search for 55-6 roller bearings and sure enough, I found them listed in my 59 parts book. Haven't seen them listed in later parts books, so I guess they didn't remain available for long.
10-02-2014, 03:29 PM
#8
MANY, MANY years ago, there WAS a roller bearing available for the 56 Vettes (and 55-56 pass cars). The ONLY source that I have ever been aware of for the 55-6 roller bearing was GM (New Departure/Hyatt). And in all my life on this planet, I have personly seen only ONE car with the smaller (55-6 style) roller bearing. I replaced the bearings in a customer's 55 Nomad (Hmmmmmmmmmmm, did Nomads get rollers????) which had rollers. Since I had never seen any, I saved one of the old berings. Still have it.
After replacing the bearings for him, I pulled the parts book to search for 55-6 roller bearings and sure enough, I found them listed in my 59 parts book. Haven't seen them listed in later parts books, so I guess they didn't remain available for long.
After replacing the bearings for him, I pulled the parts book to search for 55-6 roller bearings and sure enough, I found them listed in my 59 parts book. Haven't seen them listed in later parts books, so I guess they didn't remain available for long.
GM lists them as "Special Service Only" in my 1957 parts book.
I really don't think they would have been specific to Nomads ; probably TAXI and POLICE applications same as useage later on ?
Last edited by QIK59; 10-02-2014 at 04:51 PM.
10-02-2014, 04:42 PM
#9
MANY MANY years ago (back in 1988) I became aware of these bearings (22 years before you came across them in 2010 LOL).
GM lists them as "Special Service Only" in my 1957 parts book.
I really don't think it would have been specific to Nomads ; probably TAXI and POLICE applications same as useage later on ?
GM lists them as "Special Service Only" in my 1957 parts book.
I really don't think it would have been specific to Nomads ; probably TAXI and POLICE applications same as useage later on ?
Last edited by QIK59; 10-02-2014 at 04:51 PM.
