Front Wheel Bearing Swap ???

[James S.]

Folks,

I am replacing the ball bearing system and installing the roller bearing kit I bought from Corvette Central.

Upon initial disassembly, when I removed the hub, there was a "metal" dust shield that lays flat between the backing plate and the old ball bearing race / dust seal. Is that metal seal required with the roller bearing system? Please see picture with a black arrow pointing to the metal seal.

I have installed both inner and outer races. The inner bearing is installed with the dust seal.


Thanks for any help.

Jim

[Jim L.]

Re: Front Wheel Bearing Swap ???

Is that metal seal required with the roller bearing system?

Anything that keeps abrasive dust away from the lip of the seal is goodness. So, if I were doing that conversion and, assuming the dust shield doesn't interfere with the conversion kit, I'd keep it.

Jim

[James S.]

Re: Front Wheel Bearing Swap ???

Anything that keeps abrasive dust away from the lip of the seal is goodness. So, if I were doing that conversion and, assuming the dust shield doesn't interfere with the conversion kit, I'd keep it.

Jim

Hi Jim,

Thx for the response.

The metal dust shield is about .045 thick. With or with out the metal dust shield, the hub lays flat; no problem there and the .045 additional thickness does not affect the spindle nut when torqued correctly, and when the nut is torqued, the metal dust shield remains stationary; it does not rotate. I'm just not so sure in the long term, that the metal dust shield is necessary and if it will have any affects on the modern roller bearing system without any friction problems.

The car won't be driven that much, so dust will not be a major concern.

Jim

[Tom P.]

Re: Front Wheel Bearing Swap ???

Keep the metal dust shield in place.
When replacing ball bearings with roller bearings, NOTHING changes in relationship to the positioning of the hub-bearing-seal. That shield is on the OUTSIDE (or back side if you prefer) of the hub in the same configuration as it would be with ball bearing front wheel bearings.
Keep it in place!

[James S.]

Re: Front Wheel Bearing Swap ???

Keep the metal dust shield in place.
When replacing ball bearings with roller bearings, NOTHING changes in relationship to the positioning of the hub-bearing-seal. That shield is on the OUTSIDE (or back side if you prefer) of the hub in the same configuration as it would be with ball bearing front wheel bearings.
Keep it in place!

Thx Tom!

Happy Holidays.

Jim

[Jack H.]

Re: Front Wheel Bearing Swap ???

What are the benefits of replacing the front ball bearing with the roller bearing?

[Domenic T.]

Re: Front Wheel Bearing Swap ???

If this is not a trick question I will say that the roller bearing takes side loads much better than the ball and lasts much much longer if you like turning fast and hard.

DOM

[Michael H.]

Re: Front Wheel Bearing Swap ???

What are the benefits of replacing the front ball bearing with the roller bearing?

For the vast majority of restored cars, there is no benefit, at all.

Don't forget to adjust the new bearings to the specs used with roller bearings and NOT those used for the original ball bearings or you will be replacing the roller bearings again real soon. I think the specs for roller bearings is in the neighborhood of .001" to .007", or something like that.
Ball bearings for 53-62 were supposed to be set at zero.

[James S.]

Re: Front Wheel Bearing Swap ???

For the vast majority of restored cars, there is no benefit, at all.

Don't forget to adjust the new bearings to the specs used with roller bearings and NOT those used for the original ball bearings or you will be replacing the roller bearings again real soon. I think the specs for roller bearings is in the neighborhood of .001" to .007", or something like that.
Ball bearings for 53-62 were supposed to be set at zero.

Ah ha Michael; interesting. Not used to using a feeler guage on bearings. Just how do you do that? On cars other than a Vette, the book always noted using a torque, then backing off the spindle nut until you can install the cotter key.

Thx for any input.

Jim

[Jack H.]

Re: Front Wheel Bearing Swap ???

Not a trick question. Just wanted to know how the switch would improve ride or handling or both in just normal driving.

[Michael H.]

Re: Front Wheel Bearing Swap ???

Ah ha Michael; interesting. Not used to using a feeler guage on bearings. Just how do you do that? On cars other than a Vette, the book always noted using a torque, then backing off the spindle nut until you can install the cotter key.

Thx for any input.

Jim

The specs shown in the manuals would be those used with a dial indicator. It's not necessary though.
I think the instructions go something like this...

"Tighten spindle nut to zero lash while rotation wheel and add a slight preload. Back off the nut and retighten until all lash is removed, than back off the nut one flat". (or to the next position that allows insertion of the cotter pin)

This should be roughly the equivalent of the specs shown in the book.

[Domenic T.]

Re: Front Wheel Bearing Swap ???

When I was a chevy mechanic at the dealership they procedure for the roller was to put a tourque (while turning the bearing) on the nut to make sure it is in correctly. then back it off and finger tighten to the nearest hole. Some say if between holes tighten to nearest. Over tightening is the damaging factor.

DOM

[James S.]

Re: Front Wheel Bearing Swap ???

Not a trick question. Just wanted to know how the switch would improve ride or handling or both in just normal driving.

Jack,

In addition to what others have said, much less friction, superior with very little bearing play in a roller system, and much more longevity before replacement; will dissipate heat faster too.

Jim

[James S.]

Re: Front Wheel Bearing Swap ???

The specs shown in the manuals would be those used with a dial indicator. It's not necessary though.
I think the instructions go something like this...

"Tighten spindle nut to zero lash while rotation wheel and add a slight preload. Back off the nut and retighten until all lash is removed, than back off the nut one flat". (or to the next position that allows insertion of the cotter pin)

This should be roughly the equivalent of the specs shown in the book.

Thanks a bunch!

[Michael H.]

Re: Front Wheel Bearing Swap ???

Jack,

In addition to what others have said, much less friction, superior with very little bearing play in a roller system, and much more longevity before replacement; will dissipate heat faster too.

Jim

It's just the opposite. A tapered roller bearing has "play" but the old ball design does not. Ball bearings are adjusted to zero.

I doubt there's a measurable difference in energy loss between ball and roller style bearings.

Roller bearings do last longer without maintenence. I doubt many of us are going to put 100,000 miles on our cars in the next few years though.