Front Wheel bearing
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,010
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From: Somewhere nowhere
Front Wheel bearing
Who makes the best wheel bearing ??
I've seen all the negative comments about Timken autozone.
I need something I can abuse:
any particular brand ?? store ??
internet site??
I've seen all the negative comments about Timken autozone.
I need something I can abuse:
any particular brand ?? store ??
internet site??
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 590
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From: Boynton Beach, FL
There is no Corvette wheel bearing that you can abuse. No one manufacturers bearing is any better than another. Its inherent in the design of the bearing. They weren't designed for abuse. When I autocrossed with Victoracers I could go through several set a year. Every person I know who autocrossed a Corvette has the same problem. Interestingly, When I road raced my bearings lasted twice as long and I replaced them with half the slop of when I autocrossed.
Larry
Larry
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2002
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From: Somewhere nowhere
I too road race with victorracers, and the bearings last just 1 day.
That's about 100 track miles.
However, the factory bearings lasted 8000 track miles.
I'd surely buy another factory OE bearing if I can get another 8000 miles out of it.
That's about 100 track miles.
However, the factory bearings lasted 8000 track miles.
I'd surely buy another factory OE bearing if I can get another 8000 miles out of it.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
These bearings were not designed for the Corvette. The factory front bearings are made by NDH.The AC-Delco boxes are more likely to contain NDH bearings, although some of the SKF boxes have NDH bearings in them.
The question you should be asking, is where can I get one with a lifetime warranty?
Kragen offers a 2-yr warranty on their SKF/Chicago Rawhide bearing.
Pep Boys might offer a lifetime replacement against defects for the same bearing, but check with them first. They were unable to locate any replacements for me anywhere (for my 85) to honor their warranty though.
Check here on what p/n's will work on your vette.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1392417
I'm curious what type of bearing design do they use in NASCAR? Those things see some serious heat and continuous G's and the cars are heavy, especially under downforce and with the high banking.
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by CentralCoaster
I'm curious what type of bearing design do they use in NASCAR? Those things see some serious heat and continuous G's and the cars are heavy, especially under downforce and with the high banking.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 590
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From: Boynton Beach, FL
Originally Posted by larryfs
I too road race with victorracers, and the bearings last just 1 day.
That's about 100 track miles.
However, the factory bearings lasted 8000 track miles.
I'd surely buy another factory OE bearing if I can get another 8000 miles out of it.
That's about 100 track miles.
However, the factory bearings lasted 8000 track miles.
I'd surely buy another factory OE bearing if I can get another 8000 miles out of it.
I too observed a similar phenomena starting with my 86 Autocrosser. Corvettes that had been driven on the street for 25K or so miles before being autocrossed had wheel bearings that lasted forever. Once replaced with new factory OEM replacements and then autocrossed , the bearing would go away quickly. I'm convinced the phenomena is due to work hardening of the bearing races. Went throiugh this conversation several years ago on the Vettnet and quite a few other people observed the same phenomena. FWIW.
Larry
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2002
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From: Somewhere nowhere
so you don't think it's the bearing per say. You think it's the lack of break-in period ?? I brought my car with 20,000 miles on it from a waxer.
within 3000 track miles, the rear bearings went, and the NAPA replacements are holding up fine, with many track miles. SO that kinda disproves that theory with the rears. but the rears don't take too much abuse.
Then recently the left front loosened up (5000 track miles),
but the right front is still OE, because all the tracks around here are right hand turns.
and now I can get a left front bearing to last more than 1 day, which goes by your theory.
I was ready to spend money on a factory bearing, but if I destroy it in 1 day, that would surly be a waste.......
within 3000 track miles, the rear bearings went, and the NAPA replacements are holding up fine, with many track miles. SO that kinda disproves that theory with the rears. but the rears don't take too much abuse.
Then recently the left front loosened up (5000 track miles),
but the right front is still OE, because all the tracks around here are right hand turns.
and now I can get a left front bearing to last more than 1 day, which goes by your theory.
I was ready to spend money on a factory bearing, but if I destroy it in 1 day, that would surly be a waste.......
