The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Front wheel Bearings

Need some advice.I want to install new front wheel bearings in my 53 3100,should I use the ball or the roller type ? Thanks DON

From what I've heard the roller type bearings are better than the old ball type bearings. You'll have to replace all the bearings and seats.

I just pulled my front hubs this weekend and found my bearings in need of replacement. However, I don't know if they make them for the 1 ton's or not.

I had lots of front wheel bearing problems in the past. A guy at a local auto parts looked up some roller taper bearings for my 62, 3/4. He had a very hard time cross referencing though and one of the bearings was not Exactly the right width. I never made the swap because of the expense and unknowns. What I did was mix two greases (regular old yellow grease and white lithium grease) which made the grease less viscous. I then packed the crap out of them so much so that grease was oozing past the seals but I didn't care. So far so good. Standard grease is to thick for those ball bearings.

Roller bearings no question about it. The grooves they carve in the highways will tend to eat up the ball bearings too.

Rollers have a higher load and side load capacities.

The rollers are more tolerant of the side forces from radial tires better, too.

After talking thouroughly with the guys at the bearing place that I bought mine at they said no to the tapers and I went with ball bearings. No complaints. I believe most problems with balls are due to incorrect installs or being slightly misaligned. Just my thoughts.

Jeff

Not long ago I "posed" the same question but most were saying why not use the ballbearings as they had lasted all these years. I see some logic there if, as someone mentioned, they are properly tightened etc. I ended up going with the ball bearings and have no regrets but I think I really like the taper ones better. I'm sure either one will work OK its just that we are always wanting to make our trucks better and last longer. I think I will go tapered on the one I'm working on now though since they may be more readily available and more economical in the future should replacement become necessary.

I had the same question....that is until I found two NOS inner fronts for my 52 3600. Got em both for $15.50. Carter wants $65.00 apiece! Now if I can just find the outers...!