The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Front wheel bearing upgrade

Hello all!

I am new to this and don't know my way around yet, so bear with me. I need to find wheel bearing replacements for the front of a 1940 Chevy 1/2 ton. The originals are ball type, and I would like to upgrade to a more modern style if I could. If anyone has any knowledge or experience with such a swap I could really use your help. Thank you in advance!!!

Tater

Upgraded my '56 to roller bearings. Limited suppliers. No luck locally here in Omaha even at large bearing vender. Ordered from two vendors and finally found a correct match. Truly question whether it was worth the pain and agony. Have done some searches for you but have found nothing for a '40.

Why would you want to upgrade to modern? The ball bearings are good enough although some claim that if you are going to run radial tires you might want to go to roller-type. If you want to replace the ball bearings with new ball bearings then you could take your old ones to a bearing supplier who could match them up.

Mikey,
What are your plans for your truck?

Do you plan to put disc brakes on it? If you are, then it would be a good idea to put roller bearings as well.

Do you plan to keep the 6 lug pattern?

There is a 5 lug disc brake kit available for the 29 to 40 1/2 ton trucks. It basically uses Camaro rotors, and roller bearings on your stock spindles. The Kit uses 11 inch rotors.

There is another kit that is available for 41-59 trucks that uses the stock 6 lug configuration. You will likely have to use spacers with the stock wheels to prevent the caliper from rubbing. The 6 lug kit uses 12 inch rotors that are 1.25 inches thick. This kit will not fit on a 1940 axle, but a 1941- 1954 axle will fit on your 1940 with no other modifications.

The later axles use a larger king pin which actually makes them stronger.

This basically gives you 4 options

1. Keep your truck stock
2. Upgrade to 5 lug disc brakes
3. upgrade to a 52-54 axle and get bendix brakes, which is much more efficient than the huck brakes on your 1940
4. swap out front axles for a 41-54 and get the 6 lug brake kit and roller bearings. (or 5 lug kit)

I forgot there is 1 more way to go on this... you could get a dropped front axle and put disc brakes on it.

On my 1940 GMC I opted to go with the 6 lug kit and a later axle. I will likely order a 3 inch dropped axle in the next couple of weeks.

John

mikey_tater,

Welcome to the Stovebolt. I will be of no help at all in your search, but will ask the standard question, why do you want to change from ball to tapered roller bearing?

For 99% of the applications, the ball bearings will work fine. The proof is that your 68 year old truck is still scooting along.

Good luck in your search and again, welcome.

Stuart

Hey BigBadSwingDaddy,

My plans for the truck are Rat Rod. (Not by my Choice)

Yes. It has 1985 Toyota 4 Runner rotors mounted on the backs of the original hubs. (Hence the reason I would like to upgrade.)

Yes. I am keeping the original 6 bolt wheels.

Truck will see dragstrip several times before I get rid of it.

Hey Wrench Fetcher,

I appreciate your doing some searches. Nice picture.

Hey Extreme Gabster,

In my reply to BigBadSwingDaddy I answered the question as to why.

Thanks for the Welcome!!

You're looking at the wrong thing when you reply!

Well if only Kansas was a little bit closer, I would race you down the strip. Of course My 1940 3/4 ton might be a little heavier than your 1/2 ton.

John

I want to post this. As alot of 'bolters are looking to upgrade to roller bearings. I found this on the napa site. It looks like they have timken type replacement bearings for the 1/2 ton. They do have china on them, though. The sizes listed match the sizes that are listed for the ball bearings.

Napa roller bearings

Thanks Lon, that's the inner, how bout the outer? Do you know what years these would fit? And where did you take your dimensions from, your own measurments or from a book/manual/catalog?
Denny G

Denny,

The dims are from the Napa Online Catalog. They are the same for 47 to 59 3100s. 3100 bearings When each item is opened the dims are listed for each.


3600 bearings

Here are some screen captures of the Timken specs for the front inner & outer ball bearings for 2wd 1/2 ton's.

The bearings are not the problem to find, it is the inner races that are the problem. They are thicker than normal to fit the hub. The outer bearing isn't a problem at all. I know this from chasing all over town and talking with several large bearing houses. Finally had to order the replacements from one of the truck venders.