Wheel bearings
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
From: Victoria British Columbia
Wheel bearings
I need to replace a front wheel bearing, I noticed that the ones for Camaro/Firebird are much less expensive. They look similar in the pics. Are they the same?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
The F-body hubs can be used with a little work. On the Vette, the hub uses 4 bolts and nuts to attach to the spindle. On the F-body, the hub flange has threaded holes and 4 bolts attach the hub. You will have to drill out the threaded holes on the F-body hub to allow the Vette bolts to pass thru. The only other difference IIRC, is the ABS reluctor hub. It may be different on the F-body hub asembly.
If you look at the sticky at the top of the section (C4 Tech Summary and FAQ) you can search thru ther to get part #'s and procedures.
With a bit of careful shopping, you should be able to find C4 hubs at reasonable prices. I got a Timken hub for my 87 for $167 from Rockauto.com They are US made and will withstand track days and autocross.
The cheapie "white-box" ones from the cahin parts stores are typically Chinese and may not last if you drive the car hard.
If you look at the sticky at the top of the section (C4 Tech Summary and FAQ) you can search thru ther to get part #'s and procedures.
With a bit of careful shopping, you should be able to find C4 hubs at reasonable prices. I got a Timken hub for my 87 for $167 from Rockauto.com They are US made and will withstand track days and autocross.
The cheapie "white-box" ones from the cahin parts stores are typically Chinese and may not last if you drive the car hard.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 666
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From: Walton KY
Last edited by dchildress; Aug 25, 2008 at 09:32 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
Likes: 4,008
From: Texas
The F-body hubs work fine, including the ABS. I've been using them for years. Drill out the holes and go.
Btw...The old Timken hubs lasted quite awhile on the track (road course). Not the case anymore. My last two sets have lasted less than one (yes 1) day. In the Auto-x and RR section, others report the same results. Granted this is with R-compound tires and an aggressive suspension setup so if you're on street tires I'm sure you'll be fine. On the street I'd imagine they'll last for many years.
Btw...The old Timken hubs lasted quite awhile on the track (road course). Not the case anymore. My last two sets have lasted less than one (yes 1) day. In the Auto-x and RR section, others report the same results. Granted this is with R-compound tires and an aggressive suspension setup so if you're on street tires I'm sure you'll be fine. On the street I'd imagine they'll last for many years.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,141
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From: Metairie Louisiana
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
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From: Texas
There's no real weight savings. We're talking a ounces at best.
On the street they'll hold up just fine. None of them hold up worth a damn on a road course with sticky tires. Gotta buy the new tapered aftermarket bearings for that
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 666
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From: Walton KY
I only put in the passenger side and I run 275 Sumis on my 94. I push it pretty hard and the bearing has held up well so far. I would have agree with GS#007 that no stock replacement bearing would hold up well on a track with some gumballs on the rims.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Akron Ohio
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What is a good low cost wheel bearing that can hold up to track use?
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,871
Likes: 15
From: Detroit's West Side MI
Found some on ebay - fronts $65e, rears $55e. If they give me three or four races then it's worth it, takes all of 20 min to change one.
Last edited by ScaryFast; Aug 26, 2008 at 01:31 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 7
From: Metairie Louisiana
The tapered bearings are proving to be just as pathetic. Some forum members have ruined a set of them in two race weekends. I'm sticking wth the cheapest ones and calling them a wear item.
Found some on ebay - fronts $65e, rears $55e. If they give me three or four races then it's worth it, takes all of 20 min to change one.
Found some on ebay - fronts $65e, rears $55e. If they give me three or four races then it's worth it, takes all of 20 min to change one.
Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,871
Likes: 15
From: Detroit's West Side MI
I've been contemplating whether I really need to spend the extra money on "performance" bearings when it's mostly a street and 1/4 mile car. It is my daily driver that gets driven fairly hard on the streets and may also get on a road course once or twice a year with street tires. If the cheaper bearings will hold up as long as the stock bearings I'd be willing to give them a try. Opinions? What ebay vendor?
Thanks
Thanks
) I had one of the WBI (wheel bearings, inc) parts on there, I'll have to check my receipt because I don't remember when I installed that one. I think it was last year, which would be about 30 track days. Hopefully I'm correct, as that's pretty good for a $65 bearing.The ones I just bought were from Mac auto, I think they're ebay store is macautodiscounts or something. It's easy to find them, do a search on "corvette hubs" and they're the only place with the rears for $55. Free shipping on one bearing, too.
IMO, For a street car you'd be foolish to spend $200 on a "race" bearing.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 14,167
Likes: 142
From: Central Il
I've only just put the cheap-o one on last weekend, so it has one race on it (that I didn't finish due to an opti failure ) I had one of the WBI (wheel bearings, inc) parts on there, I'll have to check my receipt because I don't remember when I installed that one. I think it was last year, which would be about 30 track days. Hopefully I'm correct, as that's pretty good for a $65 bearing.
The ones I just bought were from Mac auto, I think they're ebay store is macautodiscounts or something. It's easy to find them, do a search on "corvette hubs" and they're the only place with the rears for $55. Free shipping on one bearing, too.
IMO, For a street car you'd be foolish to spend $200 on a "race" bearing.
) I had one of the WBI (wheel bearings, inc) parts on there, I'll have to check my receipt because I don't remember when I installed that one. I think it was last year, which would be about 30 track days. Hopefully I'm correct, as that's pretty good for a $65 bearing.The ones I just bought were from Mac auto, I think they're ebay store is macautodiscounts or something. It's easy to find them, do a search on "corvette hubs" and they're the only place with the rears for $55. Free shipping on one bearing, too.
IMO, For a street car you'd be foolish to spend $200 on a "race" bearing.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
Likes: 4,008
From: Texas
The tapered bearings are proving to be just as pathetic. Some forum members have ruined a set of them in two race weekends. I'm sticking wth the cheapest ones and calling them a wear item.
Found some on ebay - fronts $65e, rears $55e. If they give me three or four races then it's worth it, takes all of 20 min to change one.
Found some on ebay - fronts $65e, rears $55e. If they give me three or four races then it's worth it, takes all of 20 min to change one.
Damn, just PM'd someone that I was waiting for these to give them a try. Now...why waste the cash 
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,871
Likes: 15
From: Detroit's West Side MI
They come from a company called PTC, they're in Ohio. The fronts say "made in USA" the rears say "made in China". Believe what you will.
This is only one case, and VanSteel has sent replacements. Don't give up hope, yet, but it's not looking good.
This is only one case, and VanSteel has sent replacements. Don't give up hope, yet, but it's not looking good.