Anyone used a modern equivalent (Industrial Supply?) for replacing front drum brake bearings? What I have are New Departure 909801/909701 outer bearings, will check the inner later. Just wanted to see if anyone has replaced them with a modern equivalent. I know you can get some from dedicated AD truck suppliers but they are an arm and leg, but some other antique car forums have suggested trying Industrial Bearing Suppliers where they are as much as 1/4 the price.
I've been wondering that as well. There's a bearing supply house here in town that I think could cross them over. I have a set of the ball bearings from a 1953 3100 that they might be able to get dimensions from. I just haven't had the inclination to do that, as the bearings on my truck are doing OK. I think part of the issue is the inner bearing has an extended portion where the grease seal runs. It might be possible to replace that with a simple spacer of the right dimensions.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
I have pulled the bearing out of mine and cleaned with diesel to get the 75 year old grease out. The brake cylinders were gummed up with rust also and not working, so I thought I would look at replacing them since I was this far in…
The AD bearing dimensions are fairly oddball. I’ve looked into it. Best I can tell, the only available modern roller bearings were made for this very purpose.
You don’t necessarily “have to” source from specialty vendors. These were produced many decades ago, and NOS examples are on eBay. There is some cross over to other GM vehicles (I can’t remember if it’s inner, outer, or both), so these aren’t as scarce as one might assume.
The "R" in 909052R and 909067R specify a ROLLER type aftermarket bearing. The original parts were BALL type bearings with numbers of 909052 and 909067. Nothing wrong with either type as long as you use the proper adjustment procedure for the bearing type.
'57 GMC 102, Original 347 V8, HydraMatic, 3.08 rear gear, added A/C, disk front brakes, HEI, AFB carb, '98 Honda Black Currant paint. T-boned and totaled 10/12 '52 GMC 152 Stake Bed, Original 228, SM420, added A/C, HEI, disk front brakes, '67 Chev 3.55 rear gear. Gets used as a real truck.
