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wheel bearings

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Posted by: Jibit

My wheel bearings are bad again! About a year ago I replaced both fronts. I think the driver side is bad. Anyone ever had them go so quickly? I'm wondering if they are going quicker because of larger wheels and tires or because my front suspension needs to be replaced. anyone have any ideas?

Posted by: GMAN

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jibit

My wheel bearings are bad again! About a year ago I replaced both fronts. I think the driver side is bad. Anyone ever had them go so quickly? I'm wondering if they are going quicker because of larger wheels and tires or because my front suspension needs to be replaced. anyone have any ideas?

I haven't had mine go out, but everything you mentioned could be contributing factors.

Posted by: Jibit

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMAN

I haven't had mine go out, but everything you mentioned could be contributing factors.

I'm wondering why though? sure the wheels and tires add weight but the overall diameter is close to stock (not enough to notice on the speedo). I can understand the front suspension though because of the angles but would that mean that my steering wouldn't be aligned (which it is)?

Posted by: bufordtpisser

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jibit

Unless you have dramatically changed the size of the front tires and wheels, that should not be a factor. Correct offset would be a bigger factor. If the wheels had an incorrect offset, it would put undue pressure on the inner or outer edge of the bearing and could cause premature failures. Bad front end components could definitely cause premature bearing wear by putting undue pressure on the bearings. If your car is lowered, you will overstress the bearings also. There are many factors that can cause bearings to fail. Improper selection and or installation are the biggest. Operation environment follow closely. And abuse follows right behind that.

Posted by: Jibit

Quote:

Originally Posted by bufordtpisser

If your car is lowered, you will overstress the bearings also. There are many factors that can cause bearings to fail. Improper selection and or installation are the biggest. Operation environment follow closely. And abuse follows right behind that.

well, I'm not lowered..................abuse, hmmmmmmm

Posted by: bufordtpisser

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jibit

well, I'm not lowered..................abuse, hmmmmmmm

lots of high speed cornering and driving on rough roads. A lot of high speed driving and braking can also cause premature bearing failures by causing the grease to cook out of the bearings.

Another common fallacy about bearings is that if a little grease is good, a lot is better. This is not true. The wrong temperature range grease is also bad. Grease is nothing but oil suspended in a soap solution. The "Soap" is designed to melt at certain temperatures and release the oils to lubricate the bearing surfaces. If a too high temperature grease is chosen, the "Soap" will stay in a solid form and not allow the oil to do it's job. Then the bearing will have to get hotter than intended in order for the oils to be released from the grease. Over packing and over filling bearings is supposedly one of the main causes of bearing failures due to lubrication issues.

Posted by: BLACK SUNSHINE 95LSC

EVERYTHING ABOVE FIRST, THEN I WOULD FIGURE WRONG GREASE OR TOO MUCH WAS THE PROBLEM, 1 YEAR IS TOO QUICK, THATS NASCAR ABUSE... Good luck, also who did you buy the bearings and scores from ?? Always get from ford, not autozone or corporate autoparts stores either, Good luck

Posted by: Jibit

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLACK SUNSHINE 95LSC

EVERYTHING ABOVE FIRST, THEN I WOULD FIGURE WRONG GREASE OR TOO MUCH WAS THE PROBLEM, 1 YEAR IS TOO QUICK, THATS NASCAR ABUSE... Good luck, also who did you buy the bearings and scores from ?? Always get from ford, not autozone or corporate autoparts stores either, Good luck

I did get them from the dealer...........Nascar? You ever see me drive?

I'm wondering about the grease, its been a year but aren't they sealed with their own grease when bought as a hub assembly?

Posted by: 94m5

Inproper torque on the crush nut will eat a bearing alive. That is what sets the bearing preload. I think it's 245 lbft (double check to be sure) called from the factory. Stick to it.

Mike

Posted by: Sergmark

I would tend to think what Mike said is true proper torque is so important, I never had one go bad after replacing all these years and different cars

Posted by: PioneerCrazed

How do you know when they go bad?

Posted by: mespock

You get a noise when you turn. They tend to wobble a bit.

Posted by: Jibit

Quote:

Originally Posted by PioneerCrazed

How do you know when they go bad?

I usually get a humming sound and it goes away when I turn one way or put pressure on one side by doing a lane change but it comes back as soon as I straighten out.

Posted by: Jibit

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94m5

Inproper torque on the crush nut will eat a bearing alive. That is what sets the bearing preload. I think it's 245 lbft (double check to be sure) called from the factory. Stick to it.

Mike

Well, I actually got huge ass torque wrench just for the occasion that goes up to 330 lbft! Its possible that I went over a little but not likely.

Posted by: bufordtpisser

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94m5

Inproper torque on the crush nut will eat a bearing alive. That is what sets the bearing preload. I think it's 245 lbft (double check to be sure) called from the factory. Stick to it.

Mike

Torque settings are way more critical with rollers than balls. On ball bearings, all of the torque is applied to the inner race and is mainly used for retention, as opposed to rollers which get torqued for preload as 94M5 stated. I do not know offhand which the VIII's have. The bearing surface of the spindle must be correct and true also for the bearings to live a long life.

It is true that the bearings come pregreased when bought as an hub assembly. And the grease type should not be an issue. Jibit, have you had the front end alligned?? And if so, was it a four wheel thrust angle job?? A poor front to back alignment can also cause bearing failures due to the unequal loads exerted on the front spindles.

Then again, you may have just been unlucky enough to get a bad set of hubs. Stranger things have happened.

Posted by: brentalan

Both me and Jibit have 275s on the front with 17x9 wheels. I've had a bearing go since I went to the bigger wheels. I'm betting it's the wheels.

Posted by: Jibit

Quote:

Originally Posted by brentalan

Both me and Jibit have 275s on the front with 17x9 wheels. I've had a bearing go since I went to the bigger wheels. I'm betting it's the wheels.

that's what I was thinking! (but than I put on 20's for a couple of weeks and that's when it went bad). I'm confused though because the overall height of the tire hasn't changed, just possibly the offset and weight.

Posted by: bufordtpisser

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jibit

I would now have to say that it was the wheels that did the bearings in. 20's on a spindle designed for 17's and a possible incorrect offset to boot, there is more than likely the issue. Putting larger wheels on usually is not an issue, but the correct offset is a big deal.

Posted by: Jibit

Quote:

Originally Posted by bufordtpisser

well, I'm assuming the offset was about right because the tire was as wide as the stock tire and it didn't sit out of the wheel well (and it could sit too far in because I upgraded the calipers and rotors). Btw, the car originally came with 16's

Posted by: 94m5

I did'nt have any problems with wheel bearings on my 98. This was with 275-40's all the way around for almost 25K. and HARD driving.

Posted by: mespock

Why would you put wagon wheels on a Mark VIII...

Sorry Dave just had to do it...