INeed opinions/experience - front wheel bearings

[Atrus]

I am currently rebuilding the front suspension on my '68. I'm going to purchase new rotors as the current ones are questionable and rusty.

This would mean that I'd need to swap over the bearings. They seem to be in decent shape. I am wondering if I should just change them over anyway though to know that everything up front has been refurbished. What do you all think about that? I can get the standard Moss set for both wheels for $117 out the door.

What I am wondering is:

1) Although mine seem to be OK, what are the chances of me damaging them by switching to new rotors?

2) Are the standard ones OK? Should I really go with some upgraded type? The car is just a casual cruiser and won't see a ton of use every year. Maybe a couple of thousand miles at the very most.

3) Is this a good price, or are they a standard bearing that I can pick up cheaper elsewhere?

 

[Sarastro]

As long as you're careful, you shouldn't damage them and if you do, you can then consider replacing them. I don't see any need for something beyond the ordinary, and, frankly, I'd keep the existing ones if they seem OK.

These cars are built around standard components, especially seals and bearings. The Wiki gives the following:

Front Wheel Bearings, all cars

Inner: Timken 07097/07024 Outer: Timken 05066/05185

I entered these in the Wiki, but not by first-hand experience; it came from another posting. In my experience, view the Moss price as about double what it should cost.

 

[jhorton3]

If they don't rumble now you should be OK. Look at them to see if any of it has turned blue indicating they got too hot. Tap around the outer edges to make it come out. Clean them up and repack them with a good wheel bearing grease.

 

[recordsj]

check out this online company (which I bought new front bearings on recently along with other parts in the past, good prices and never had a problem with the company).
www.bpnorthwest.com/.sc/ms/cat/Sprite^2FMidget--Drive train

you can buy new front wheel bearings for around $22 for each wheel. I asked the company why there are so low for the bearings compared to Moss. They told me the following:

"""
They will becoming down in price also, a duty on the bearings was lowered by the United States, the duty used to be something like 300%. Only one company makes the bearings so everybody is in the same boat. Hope this helps and have a good week.

Regards,
Leighton
British Parts Northwest
www.bpnorthwest.com
Phone (503)864-2001
FAX (503)864-2081

"""

 

[Hap Waldrop]

When this comes up, I always mention this, you can get tapered wheel bearing kit form Winner Circle 216-889-4666 for about $20 more, they are stronger and last longer, no mods, that go in the hubs without any fabrication.

 

[Atrus]

Good to know, thanks guys!

 

[spritenut]

When you replace a rotor, you do not touch the bearings, 4 bolts and the hub/rotor are apart. But, now is a good time clean out any old grease, repack the bearings and at the very least, replace the seals. You know that as soon as you fit the new rotors, the wheel bearing seals will leak and grease up those new rotors.

 

[nomad]

I have a brand new set of bearings setting on the shelf. When I discovered that
The new set was looser than the set I was going to replace I refitted the old with just the new seal and a repacking. I am also saving the outer bearings since most of the new outers only have half the race the originals did.
If they are'nt rough and loose try to save them.
KA.