C1 front roller wheel bearing

[Pat F.]

I converted the front wheel bearings from ball to roller bearings on my 57 corvette. I found two problems when installing these.
1) The wheel bearing seal does not press all the way in, where the seal rides on the inner bearing it hits a step up portion of the bearing. Is there a special seal for this perticular bearing. The inner wheel bearing was purchased from Allied Bearing Sales Inc in California, order #B52R.
2) When hub is installed with new bearings and seal the dust sheild which covers the seal turns when spinning the hub. I believe the dust sheild should be stationary, it appears the inner bearing which slides in the spindle is also spinning when turning the hub. Is it necessary to have the dust sheild when converting from ball to roller bearings.
Any advice or information from someone who has converted from ball to roller bearings would be appreciated, I want to make sure I am doing this right.
Pat Fader

[Jim E.]

Re: C1 front roller wheel bearing

I had the same problem. Take the old inner race and use it as a driver. Place it on top of the seal, put a piece of flat iron across the old race and either give it a good sharp rap in the center of the iron or do as I did and place the hub is a press and squish it! Mine was a '58.

[Pat F.]

Re: C1 front roller wheel bearing

I had the same problem. Take the old inner race and use it as a driver. Place it on top of the seal, put a piece of flat iron across the old race and either give it a good sharp rap in the center of the iron or do as I did and place the hub is a press and squish it! Mine was a '58.

Thanks Jim for the advice. I think that seal is not pressing on real well because of the step up portion on the inner wheel bearing which rides on the spindle is stopping the seal from seating all the way. Have you put many miles on since replacing the bearings & seals?
Thank's Pat

[Jim E.]

Re: C1 front roller wheel bearing

Pat,
When I tried to install the new bearings, the same thing happened and I actually put one wheel on with the seal protruding out from the hub. It seemed like it was rubbing a little bit, but being a farmer I figured what the H___, it'll seat in with a few miles. When I did the other wheel my concience got the better of me and I went back and reinstalled the seal the way I said earlier. I'm not sure if the seal flange crushed a little or by not using a press to begin with the seal wasn't going in far enough, but it now is in far enough to clear the hub edge.
Every thing was going good for about 700 miles and then I notice a lot of oil or grease being spread back along the front fender. Not sure where it came from, JUST KIDDING!!!! It is working just fine. I pulled the wheels of a couple of days ago to check the alignment and toe-in, rotate the tires and also check the wheel bearings for adjustment, and everything is OK. I don't remember any car having this many grease fittings and a few of the hard to reach ones were a little dry. I've only owned this car since last year and didn't drive it any in the wet weather so this is the first lube job, by me. I might add that it steers like it has power steering now. Some of points must be important for the steering.
To answer your question, mine is working fine.
Jim