Latest Info on Wheel Bearings?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,680
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From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner - Modified
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Latest Info on Wheel Bearings?
Yes I searched, but a lot of info is still old. What is the consensus on wheel bearings now? 10 years ago when I was racing more often I found the $40 ebay bearings lasted just as long as the $300 Timken. My car sat for years and I got it out to play more than once this year and now I need new bearings again. Is it still eBay chinese cheapies, or is there something that lasts a little longer now? I am eyeballing the Strano kit for the SKF C5/6 bearings on the front, but still no new developments on the rear?? There was a company that was selling the rebuildable front hubs for Camaros, are they no longer in business?
Thanks,
Thanks,
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,220
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
I put Timkens on my 89 6-7 years ago and they are still fine. Of course, I don't have a track car -- which means they don't see the same side-loading. Also, I bought them for all four corners for about $100 each....not $300 each. Rock Auto still sells them in the same price range.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 30,427
Likes: 1,609
From: Outside the Quick Stop N.J.
FWIW, I have had several Timken bearings fail prematurely (~25-50k)over the last few years. While these failures were not in a Corvette, I have started using SKF bearings with better results.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,680
Likes: 3,427
From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner - Modified
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
I put Timkens on my 89 6-7 years ago and they are still fine. Of course, I don't have a track car -- which means they don't see the same side-loading. Also, I bought them for all four corners for about $100 each....not $300 each. Rock Auto still sells them in the same price range.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,424
Likes: 603
From: Minneapolis Mn
I had a rear hub start to fail after getting my 86. I got a set of Centric hub to use and use it I did. I've had Centric hubs on my truck for over 70K and they're still running strong. My car is street only, and it's worked fine so far.
On Teflon washers, check out IIRC Corvette Central. They have reproductions and AFAIK are the only place you can get any. IMO any time you tear the rearend apart, replace the Teflon washers at the same time if you can. If not, grease the heck out them.
On Teflon washers, check out IIRC Corvette Central. They have reproductions and AFAIK are the only place you can get any. IMO any time you tear the rearend apart, replace the Teflon washers at the same time if you can. If not, grease the heck out them.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 98
From: Ashland PA
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
I had a set on the rear of my 90 for about 55,000 miles that I paid about $100.00 for both rear. I just replaced them with moogs that have a 3 year warranty from rockauto about $80.00 each.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 4,648
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From: N.E. Ohio OH
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
The better grade rear hubs that I bought for my '96 from Napa are SKF's. Says so right in the box even though the box says NAPA. Check them and see if they have them for your year car and if those are SKF's unfortunately they are 200'ish. I forget what I paid.
As far as the teflon washers go:
https://www.corvettecentral.com/c4-8...er%26count%3d9
I bought myself some spare sets. Corvette Central is the only place left to get them that I have found.
As far as the teflon washers go:
https://www.corvettecentral.com/c4-8...er%26count%3d9
I bought myself some spare sets. Corvette Central is the only place left to get them that I have found.
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Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Outside the Quick Stop N.J.
That is the PN for my 89, I am not sure if it applies to other years.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,085
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From: St. Charles MO
I think anything new for front or rear direct replacement will be made in China now, regardless of the brand on the box. Some claim that SKF or Timken are made in China in a different factory and to a better spec than the cheapies. I really have no way of knowing if that's true or not, although I know it certainly could be true (i.e., China can make good parts if they are held to a high standard by the contractor). The Strano kit will be a good option for the front if you plan to keep tracking the car. It's probably worth it for that use. For just autocross and street, I'd probably save the money and try to buy new replacements that don't have play out of the box. The fronts are just so easy to change. There is no solution for the rears that I know of.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,649
Likes: 631
From: Dallas TX
You can get an SKF front from a Gen 3 Camaro. They dont have studs so you have to source bolts and nuts. I havent done it yet, but I plan to.
SKF rears were still available last time I checked.
that is 88+ cars.
SKF rears were still available last time I checked.
that is 88+ cars.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,680
Likes: 3,427
From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner - Modified
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Thanks guys! I know the race bearings for C5 and C6 are made by SKF and they last a lot longer. Hoping the SKF rear might last a little bit longer as well for our cars. This car is track only and doesn't see any street miles. All miles are HARD on track.
I appreciate the link for the washers also!
I appreciate the link for the washers also!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,085
Likes: 1,972
From: St. Charles MO
I appreciate the link for the washers also!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,680
Likes: 3,427
From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner - Modified
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
The race-oriented X-Tracker hubs from SKF are the ones that require the Strano kit to adapt to a C4. I know you know this, Kubs - I'm just clarifying for others that are reading this. I don't think the regular stock-replacement SKF hubs are made in the US anymore, whether they are for the C4 or F-body.
Good to know! I have all winter to work on it but it sounds like ill need to get my order in soon!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,680
Likes: 3,427
From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner - Modified
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
As far as the washers, what makes them special other than the teflon coating? Wouldn't a regular flat washer of similar size work? Im not concerned with noise on a track car, as long as it performs the same job.
Something like this:
https://www.mcmaster.com/91455a190
I can buy 5 of those for less than the cost of 1 from CC.
Compared to the dimensions given on the OE washer from RockAuto:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...041264&jsn=468
Something like this:
https://www.mcmaster.com/91455a190
I can buy 5 of those for less than the cost of 1 from CC.
Compared to the dimensions given on the OE washer from RockAuto:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...041264&jsn=468
Last edited by Kubs; Sep 5, 2019 at 11:18 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 98
From: Ashland PA
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
I think anything new for front or rear direct replacement will be made in China now, regardless of the brand on the box. Some claim that SKF or Timken are made in China in a different factory and to a better spec than the cheapies. I really have no way of knowing if that's true or not, although I know it certainly could be true (i.e., China can make good parts if they are held to a high standard by the contractor). The Strano kit will be a good option for the front if you plan to keep tracking the car. It's probably worth it for that use. For just autocross and street, I'd probably save the money and try to buy new replacements that don't have play out of the box. The fronts are just so easy to change. There is no solution for the rears that I know of.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
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From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 98
From: Ashland PA
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 4,648
Likes: 1,059
From: N.E. Ohio OH
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
As far as the washers, what makes them special other than the teflon coating?
up for safe keeping, tomorrow or so I will see if I can figure out where I stuck them and get a picture.
If you look at the one on CC, you can see the flange on the ID.