r16678

I purchased national front wheel bearing from autozone and the inner front wheel bearing would not go all the way onto the front spindle. I went to Napa and purchased a set of wheel bearings and had the same problem with the inner bearing. Called the Chevy dealership and they told me the front bearings are discontinued. Need some help, has anyone had luck finding front wheel bearings that fit a 1979 vette?

thanks

redvetracr

what part number did NAPA give you??

Mooser

Rock Auto

TIMKEN SET3 Front Outer
TIMKEN SET5 Front Inner

NATIONAL A3 Front Outer
NATIONAL A5 Front Inner

SKF BR3 Front Outer
SKF BR5 Front Inner

Change the seal as well

HIH
M

blue427

If you're saying they look the same but won't slide onto the spindle just use some emory paper on the spindle.

r16678

Part BR5

r16678

I had NATIONAL A5 Front Inner and it would not go onto the spindle

r16678

I found the Timken from zip corvettes, figured I would try those. Will also use your idea of the emory paper. thanks

http://www.zip-corvette.com/69-82-fr...r-bearing.html

Mooser

If you tried a BR5 and an A5 and neither fit there's likely something wrong with the spindle (scored, dented, rusted, etc) as those are the right sizes
Sometimes you need to give them a little tap but they should go right to the shoulder
M

r16678

I tried on both spindles and it would not fit. I took the original factory bearings and I had to give them a little push and the original bearing went on. The car only has 80K miles on it. I was planning on getting the timken bearings from zip corvette

leadfoot4

MOST, and I emphasize 'most' bearings have their part number stamped into the outside of the inner race. See if your original bearings have this number, and compare.

r16678

ZDZ - LM48548 AJ Made in USA

Mooser

That is a timken cone for a Set 5

Set5
LM48548 CONE
LM48510 CUP

Hopefully they fit for you
M

r16678

Thank you I will order the bearing tomorrow, will let you know how it goes.

Sluefoot

I have a '79, and ordered em thru Amazon....fit like a glove!
I don't know the p/n's right off hand, but I can look...2moro maybe.

leadfoot4

I'll throw one more "tech tip" in here, just for grins.....


You don't HAVE to go to an auto parts store, to get these bearings, especially since many of the too prominent "big box" stores no longer stock parts for older cars. As long as you have a part number, as shown in the above picture, you can contact an industrial supply house, give them that number, as well as the number from the seals, if you need them, and they can get you the parts you need.

Bearings use a somewhat universal identification system.

r16678

I got the Timken bearings and they fit. thank you all