C1 Ball vs Roller Bearings

[Larry W.]

I am going through the front end of my 58 and would like to replace the ball bearings with rollers. Timken and BCA used to make (and may still) replacement
sets for inner and outer on standard 55-58. Do they make replacements for the 58 corvette?
Respectfully submitted

[Mike M.]

Re: C1 Ball vs Roller Bearings

got mine years ago from the classic chevty club in orlando, fla. mike

[Larry W.]

Re: C1 Ball vs Roller Bearings

Do you remember the part #s?

[Ed Jennings]

Re: C1 Ball vs Roller Bearings

I got a set from a person here in the Birmingham, Al area through eBay. Check ebay, he seems to have a set up for auction just about constantly. Incidently, I put a set on my 62 that had perfectly good, properly adjusted ball bearings on it already. I could discern no change whatsoever. If your ball bearings need changing, go for it, but if they don't, don't expect an improvement.

[Verle R.]

Re: C1 Ball vs Roller Bearings

Larry,

Tom Parsons directed me to the following.

ALLIED BEARING
8962 Ellis Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90034-3378
800-421-3658
Be sure to tell them you belong to a Corvette club, SUPPOSEDLY you should
get a discount.

I ordered from them and installed on my 57 a couple of years ago.

Verle

[Chuck S.]

Re: C1 Ball vs Roller Bearings

Are the roller bearings a direct replacement for the ball bearings or are there changes required???

[Larry W.]

Re: C1 Ball vs Roller Bearings

I'll give them a try.

Thank you

L

[Roy B.]

Re: C1 Ball vs Roller Bearings

They are a direct replacement and if you use the repro C1 or C2 tires you WILL notice the differance

[Tom P.]

Re: C1 Ball vs Roller Bearings

That is a true statement.
With radial tires and roller bearings, THERE IS A DIFFERENCE in the way the car will track, particularly if your frontend is tight and in good shape (nothing short of a rebuild will help these old frontends if they have lots of slop in the suspension joints). If you do ANY hiway/interstate driving (and I do), all of the little things combined, such as changing to roller bearings, will contribute to better steering/tracking for the old Vettes.
The roller bearings are an import bearing--------------NO ONE IN THE USA makes them. I've had rollers on my 56 for about 13yrs with no problems at all. And by far the cheapest source (about half of what the Vette aftermarket sources charge) is Allied in CA. As Verle mentioned, be sure to tell them you are with a "Corvette Club". The inner part number is B52R and the outer is B67R. These are the same part numbers as the ball bearings, except with an R.
By the way, proper credit for this little discovery goes to Roy Braatz.

[Larry W.]

Re: C1 Ball vs Roller Bearings

That is exactly what I needed. By the way I have found a website - bearingplace.com.
A & W Bearings in TX. Nice people, great website for bearings & seals.
Prices are very good.
Many thanks.

[Michael H.]

Re: C1 Ball vs Roller Bearings

Mike,

I have a question on the replacement roller bearings. Just curious but if I remember correctly, the original ball bearing on 53-62 was supposed to be adjusted to zero end play and roller bearings were always adjusted to have .001 to .007 end play. Does the replacement kit recommend the roller setting?

Michael

[Chris S.]

Re: C1 Ball vs Roller Bearings

I converted my 54
I ordered the updated bearings
The inside of the race that faces the spindle was too long
the seal would not seat into the hub
I had to take the 2 inner brgs - to a machine shop and had
the inside machined - fit perfect
I called Corvette Central - they are aware that they dont fit right
I advised them of the fix