longhorn911

After more than 5 years with no wheel bearing issues, I finally had one fail at my last race. I believe these bearings were the ones that came with the donor car. This lifetime seems highly unusual given that many racers seem to have brand new bearings failing within a year or two. I’ve heard one theory that bearings broken in on the street (in a donor) may last much longer than brand new bearings installed and immediately raced. Has anyone else seen any evidence of this?

Are there any other recommendations for getting more life out of these bearings? I’ve read that some racers might be repacking with high temp grease to get better lifetimes.

These bearings are so much work to replace, it would be nice if we could many years out of them like I did with my original set.

Thoughts?

audipwr1

5 years?!?! Mine last 15 hours max

Tried different grease to no real difference

txhokie4life

I picked up a pair of carriers from Woodie, will R&R the bearings at my leisure, plan to just have a backup set JIC. Told this is way easier to replace the whole carrier at the track then try to mess with the bearings.

That said, never having bearing issues on any race car -- how do you know when they are going out and new ones needed?

M

Viperbob1

Usually replace wheel bearings every year or two depending on car, driver, etc. Also carry in spares kit extra bearings and proper to replace on car. Fronts take about 30 Minutes, rears about 45 at the track. Why not replace whole suspension parts? First it takes longer and then how are you going to align it at the track? You may get it close, but close may not be enough if you are competitive.

longhorn911

Wow - 15 hours, one year, five years - that's a big difference. I continue to wonder if the broken-in street bearings is what made the difference for my car. It's possible my bearings were degrading prior to the failure last race weekend, but I periodically check to see if the wheels have any play in them as part of normal track prep. I just had one wheel start making noise and was howling by the end of the weekend.

Viperbob1 - 30/45 minute replacements are really fast. Curious what your process is - are you replacing carriers or doing an actual bearing swap? What special tools do you use?

Lemming

I have over a year on my replacements, way more than 15 hours. Will likely replace them this summer during my down time (to damn hot to race and drive in AL in August).

Viperbob1

Just doing bearing swaps. We do have extra hubs as it does take time to get the out race off hub when removed. I use the Sir Tools master wheel bearing setup combined with a little experience and an 18v milwaukee 1/2" Impact.

bkovac

Driving aggressive over curbs like at Buttonwillow does not help

tgsmith4845

Deadeye

Have you seen any wear issues in the wheel carriers with your multiple bearing changes? Do you use any lubricant or just freeze the bearing?

tgsmith4845

Bull_D

This.....plus I have had success cleaning the surface inside the wheel carrier that the bearing slides in and putting a very fine layer of no seize. makes the next swap out much smoother......

Deadeye

I did both fronts last off season using the same process as Bull-D but I also used a fine scotch brite pad to clean up the barrel a bit. The bearings may have been original as they were tough coming out even with the Sir Tool set up.