Reuse my front wheel bearings?

[JDUBinCO]

I had a shake in the wheel and upon tear down I'm finding the 54mm nuts were not even finger tight. The bearings seem to sit in the race just fine and there is no pitting, scratches or gouges in the race but the sheen on the race is worn off. The needles look perfect.

Obviously I'd rather not have to buy new or I wouldn't ask the question.

Pictures wouldn't show up well, what do you think?

Replace them or go for it and check them out again in 30k?

Thanks

John

 

[86tuning]

I'd set the bearing clearances and then go drive it. bad wheel bearings make a growling noise that changes as you turn. think of 'slalom' driving down a road with no traffic. It will growl, then be quiet, and growl as you turn left and right.

If it's quiet, then run it. If it's noisy, then replace it. If you're going to replace it, consider doing pads and rotors while you're in there. And maybe a birf repack too.

 

[gotmud]

From the description you've given, it sounds like the bearings are still in serviceable condition. Clean and inspect, look at the cages too and make sure they're not chewed up. Repack and drive on.

 

[Kernal]

You could post up photos of both the wheel bearings and the spindles; if the spindles are worn the bearings won't hold preload. Look for a wear ridge on the underside of the spindles about one inch back from the threads, get a photo of that.

 

[JDUBinCO]

You could post up photos of both the wheel bearings and the spindles; if the spindles are worn the bearings won't hold preload. Look for a wear ridge on the underside of the spindles about one inch back from the threads, get a photo of that.

there isn't a wear ridge on the spindle but there is a discernable texture difference where the bearing rides and the rest of the spindle. Where the bearing sits it is smooth and the rest of the spindle is slightly grooved (left over from machining I think). The difference is so minute it wouldn't show up in a picture.

Thanks for the advice. I'll run them and see how it goes.

John

 

[Kernal]

Post up a photo

 

[landtank]

I find most of the wear to be on the bearing's race. Not the race that is driven into the hub but the one internal to the bearing assembly itself. The part that actually contacts the spindle.

Clean it up and look at the surface. If it has dark spots and the edge that contacts the thrust washer looks like it has been spinning I'd get rid of them.

In cases like this a new bearing will be noticeably tighter on the spindle than the old one.