Wheel bearing question for the experts

The shoulder is only there to insure that the whole bearing (assembly) is positioned in the right space of the hub. The bearing aren't going anywhere with a shoulder and retaining ring on one side and the spacer in the middle followed by the other bearing and retainer. So a shoulder isn't needed on each side. A lot of rotors are like this on cars.

My thinking on this is they do it this way to make it easier to remove the old bearings. If you remove the axle and the inner race and little balls fall out, that means a hammer and punch to peck around the outer race to remove it. A lot easier to do without a shoulder in the way. :x

 

I get what you're saying now! Before when you were talking about removing a destroyed bearing, I was thinking "So what? You just press it out like any other bad bearing.", but I wasn't thinking of one that had failed so catastrophically that the inner race had come completely loose from the rest of the assy.

You're right... If the inner race falls out on the floor and the counterbore ledge completely occludes the outer race leaving you nothing to press against to remove it, I'd be bitchin' up a storm!!

But... That still doesn't help you if the conterbored side is the one that falls apart, right? :lol:

 

The wide range of wheel bearing life mentioned on the Concours site is likely related to the tricky installation of these things. Some only get 20k and others double or triple that. It's funny how some "no brainer" tasks can get pretty complicated when you start into it.

 

Rice_Burnarr said

But... That still doesn't help you if the conterbored side is the one that falls apart, right? Laughing

The best way to get these out is to use a file bit in your drill. File the race about 3/4 thru, then take a hammer and chisel to it without damaging the bore. But if that isn't possible you'll just have to use a hammer and punch the best you can (with a lot of time and patience) from the other side. :wink:

 

That's cool, and I bet you're right. I bet the folks that are getting highest mileage are most likely the ones who are getting the bearing pressed in to jusssst the right spot, and the people who are burning them up early are pressing them in too far.

So... You're the expert now, right? You gonna offer up your services on the concours site? Have you talked over there about your findings?

Orange-n-Black, I've run into similar situations with bearings in the past and I've got two methods for getting the outer races out of the counterbored side:

First thing I would try is put bearing back together as best you can and then you can push on the inner race to force the outer race out. What I mean by that is to put the inner race back in and stuff as many balls back in as possible (Once the retainer cage is removed, it's likely that you can get ALL the balls back in place.). Use grease to hold them there, and then you can spread the balls out a little and they'll hold the inner race in place. If the inner race or the balls have turned to dust, you can scavange parts from the other side bearing. Once the bearing is put "back together" then just press it out like you would normally do.

If that doesn't work, I would cut the outer race as you suggested, but I would use a cutting disk on a Dremel. Less hardened material to remove than if you would use a burr in a drill.

 

That'll work too.

 

Expert? Hah! Long way from that.

There was a discussion over on the Concours site on this subject but once I posted what the mechanic told me, the thread died. I found that funny too because they will usually grind a subject into a fine powder. Heck, they'll go into nodal analysis and Bode plots for the temp gauge circuit. (thought you might like that). Anyway, they're good guys and very helpful. Just like here.

 

Gitbox I think your avatar is a picture of me thats how I learned about electricity the first time. Second time was an alarm clock radio I wanted to see how the numbers changed I think I was in the third grade . Later it was a lawn mower spark plug then the dryer, heck I remember when they came out with HEI ignition on the Buick La saber no more pulling a plug wire off to test the effect on a cylinder I think I was 12 then. Memories

 

Sweet!! I'll have to stop over there sometime!! (I'm a theory guy. Haha! Betch'a didn't know that already? )

It does seem odd that the thread would have died like that. I've got the same problem too. Don't know why, but I sometimes feel like "The Thread Killer". Not this one, but sometimes...

Yeah, I like your avatar too. Reminds me of a buddy of mine who grew up in New York City. One day as a kid in the sixties, he was messing around sticking something in an outlet, got a big spark, and all the power went out. Biggest blackout the east coast has ever seen. Of course, it was probably complete coincidence, but for years, his parents had him thinking that he caused the whole thing!!

"NOW look what you did!!" :lol: He's now an EE as well...

PS - Didn't I see your avatar over at the PM forum as well, or am I getting you confused with someone else?

 

PM forum? Not sure what that is. On the Concours site I use the same handle but someone complained that I copied their old avatar so I changed it. I don't even remember where I came across that pic. It looks like me when I was that age and like something I would do. Glad I didn't, though - plenty of jolts came later. Goofballs in class labs would charge up electrolytic caps with a 400v power supply and toss them to you. That'll wake you up!

 

Haha. I remember the ole' capacitor battles as well!! Good times... Good times... 8)

So, when will you know if your wheel bearing teqnique was successful? Have you gone back into the cold to try the assy or are you waiting for warmer weather?

 

Yep, got the front end all back together and feeling great! Just gotta put the plastic back on. I thought the old bearings were in pretty good shape until I felt the new ones. Much snugger.

And what was the PM forum?

 

Excellent. Still wondering why Kawi did it that way, but in any event, glad to hear that the work was successful. I'm gonna send all my Kawasaki work you way in the future.

PM is Practical Machinist. It's an excellent forum for all things machining, etc. I've learned an enormous amount from lurking over there and reading, and reading, and reading. I don't remember the member's name or handle, but one of the people over there mentioned this forum a few years ago, and I came here to take a look. Been here since.

I was thinking that you might have been the guy over there that turned me on to XJ (with your metalworking interest and all...).