Front wheel bearing question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,033
Likes: 0
From: Tracy California
St. Jude Donor '05
Front wheel bearing question
I thought I'd be smart and get my front replacment bearings from a local parts store. I bought the bearings about a year ago and only recently got around to installing them. The problem is that they seem as loose as the ones I replaced :mad what's the deal? How much play/slop is normal here? I'm talking about when the wheels are off the ground, how play do you have when trying to feel the bearing play?
Thanks
KM
[Modified by 88-406, 12:01 PM 1/27/2004]
Thanks
KM
[Modified by 88-406, 12:01 PM 1/27/2004]
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 14,130
Likes: 7
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Front wheel bearing question (88-406)
I had this same problem and i honestly do not know.I replaced the rear bearings because it had a slight play when rocking it back and forth (no,the rear suspension was not moving I checked too) and the new bearings had the same amount of play.SO I left it them on there and havent had any problems with them.
I have heard anywhere from 0 play to a very small amount is normal but it may just be manufacturers tolerances that vary.
If the bearigns dont affetc the car and theres no noise or anything,then it should be ok to go.But lets see what some of the others here have to say.
:)
I have heard anywhere from 0 play to a very small amount is normal but it may just be manufacturers tolerances that vary.
If the bearigns dont affetc the car and theres no noise or anything,then it should be ok to go.But lets see what some of the others here have to say.
:)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,375
Likes: 1
From: Northern CA
Re: Front wheel bearing question (Bill's86Coupe)
Harbor Freight has good enough dial indicators for cheap. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=33675
That one goes on sale for under $8 a few times a year.
You can cobble up a mount and measure how much play you have.
The Helms manual sez replace bearing if play exceeds 0.005 inch. ) 0.005 inch can feel like more than you would expect it to feel like.
[Modified by xs650, 3:05 PM 1/27/2004]
That one goes on sale for under $8 a few times a year.
You can cobble up a mount and measure how much play you have.
The Helms manual sez replace bearing if play exceeds 0.005 inch. ) 0.005 inch can feel like more than you would expect it to feel like.
[Modified by xs650, 3:05 PM 1/27/2004]
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 4,623
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
Re: Front wheel bearing question (88-406)
Have you ruled out the possibility that the play you're sensing isn't from the tie rod ends, or the ball joints? Just thought that I would state the obvious...it happens to all of us sometimes.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,033
Likes: 0
From: Tracy California
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: Front wheel bearing question (h rocks)
Brand new tie rod ends were installed at the same time. The bearing play became apparant when I took the car in for an alignment. The tech noticed them movement and wanted to try to tighten them up. I also had a tech inspection at the track and was told my bearings are going bad. I wish we could tighten them the old school way.
KM
KM
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,375
Likes: 1
From: Northern CA
Re: Front wheel bearing question (sraft)
.005" at what diameter? .005 at the hub is a LOT more play that .005 at the edge of the tire.
Best way would be to pull in and out and measure as close to the hub as hub you can. If you really wanted to get **** about it you could use two dial indicators, one on each side of the hub.
I've noticed my 96 Helms manual has a lot of errors, like mentioning a figure that isn't there or a numbered part in a figure that isn't numbered, or a figure that is for a different model.
My Honda and Acura Helms manual have been extremely accurate. Not my GM Helms manuals.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,375
Likes: 1
From: Northern CA
Re: Front wheel bearing question (88-406)
I also had a tech inspection at the track and was told my bearings are going bad. I wish we could tighten them the old school way.
KM
KM
Dick
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 983
Likes: 1
From: Bergen County NJ
Re: Front wheel bearing question (xs650)
I'm sure that with access to a machine shop, they can be dissasembled (without destroying them) but replacing the bearing(s), sealing it up and relying on it to be a safe component of a car which can be driven at the extremes - makes me a little nervous. :eek:
When I did my rear, I bought the PepBoys bearing for 2 reasons - 1)They're lots cheaper than the A/C Delco, although I'm 99% convinced they come from the same bearing manufacturer, 2)PepBoys offered a lifetime warranty, so I figure that (other that my labor) I'll never pay for another one, which would compensate in case my assumption in point 1 was wrong.
[Modified by sraft, 2:07 PM 1/28/2004]
When I did my rear, I bought the PepBoys bearing for 2 reasons - 1)They're lots cheaper than the A/C Delco, although I'm 99% convinced they come from the same bearing manufacturer, 2)PepBoys offered a lifetime warranty, so I figure that (other that my labor) I'll never pay for another one, which would compensate in case my assumption in point 1 was wrong.
[Modified by sraft, 2:07 PM 1/28/2004]