I know this isn't a new subject because I can remember seeing it mentioned somewhere before but I can't find it and am getting too old to look. Tapered roller bearings to replace the ball wheel bearings on a '58?
What is the part number and brand, Please?
Jim

 

Jim,
I know that Zip Corvette Parts is on the east coast, but they have your stuff. Part number SU-538, $157.00. Check out theri web site. Other vendors closer to you should have them. Dennis

 

Check out this thread for bearings direct from the supplier (originally from DZAUTO):

Allied (see 2nd post for correct phone number).

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...llied+bearings

Plasticman

 

OK, OK, OK, let's start from scratch all over again.

First, here is the source.
Allied Bearing
8962 Ellis Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90034-3378
800-421-3658 (that's what's on the invoice in front of me, I triple checked it this time).
Local-310-837-0755
I just called them 3 days ago, they're still there (I was checking on 57 axle bearings, they don't have any).

NOW, READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY--------------------PAY ATTENTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Roller front wheel bearings for replacing the original style ball bearings on 53-62 Vettes (and 49-54 pass cars) ARE NOT, ARE NOT, ARE NOT available from ANY source of domestic bearing manufacturer, such as BCA, Timken, etc, etc. Furthermore, they ARE NOT, ARE NOT, ARE NOT available from auto parts stores such as NAPA, O'Reilly, Autozone, etc, etc. There IS NOT any bearing number that crosses over to the the roller bearings for the front of early Vettes. NONE!
Do I need to repeat any of the above?
The only other source that you will find for these bearings is the Corvette aftermarket sources such as Corvette Central, Paragon, etc. BUT WHY?????
Call Allied and get them much cheaper!
The Allied Bearing part numbers are:
B52R-inner
B67R-outer

When you call Allied----------------------------TELL THEM YOU ARE WITH THE CORVETTE CLUB AND WANT THE CORVETTE CLUB DISCOUNT.
What Corvette club?????????????????????
IT DOESN'T MATTER---------------------------------JUST TELL THEM ANY CORVETTE CLUB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Tom,
Does the change to tapered roller bearings make enough of a differance to justify the price?

 

IMO, NO. I've had the regular ball style on the car for over 35 years, never a single problem.

 

Just by doing nothing but changing the wheel bearings, no. But, for example a frontend rebuild, or, just replacing worn parts, AND, switching to rollers, there will be a difference.
With these old sloppy frontends (as compared to later technology frontends and steering), any and everything that is done to tighten them up is just that much more benefit. When I changed the bearings on the 56 to rollers (the rest of the frontend was tight), I DID notice that it didn't seem to have as much of a tendency to "track" in grooves or ruts on the hiway. So, I did notice a slight difference on my 56.

 

Allied Bearing Sales Inc
8962 Ellis Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90034
(310) 837-0752
Tell Ben Roy Braatz said Hi, I'm the guy many years ago that wrote about them that now people know of.
Ben said after me informing Corvette guys about them .because before that people were buying later Chevy hubs to get the same advantage he sold Hundreds

 

For what its worth ...I agree

 

Thanks to all, and I will call tomorrow and order the parts. I knew if I asked the right people that the answer would appear.
Thanks again,
Jim

 

I've always found the aversion to ball bearings to be somewhat interesting. BMW was using them into at least the 90s, and no one ever said that they have bad handling from their bearings.

 

This is another good example of me learning of a better source for special applications. Is it safe to assume that the parts I listed from Zip are offshore stuff? Thanks to you guy you got Jim on safe grounds. Dennis

 

Replaced mine (kept the old) when I switched to DB radials. BIG improvement when using both. I can now say I truly enjoy driving my car on all road surfaces. (no gravel)

Regards,

Fred

 

I just talked to Ben at Allied Bearing in LA. He is really a nice man. He quoted me $24 for inner, $35 for outter and $6 for the seal. He is shipping them to me and I'm supposed to send a check when they arrive. When was the last time anyone said that to you?
Jim

 

Well, It's 11:30 A.M. on Tuesday morning and the UPS truck just pulled in the drive. He had a package from Allied Bearing. The invoice was for $35 each for outers, $24 each for inners and $12 each for seals. That came to $142 and $8.22 for the UPS the total was $150.22. No sales TAX! Put the check in the mail to make sure he has it by tomorrow.