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| | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 13 Member | | Member Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 13 | any one put tapered roller bearings in a front axle on a 3/4 ton?using the original front hubs? any advice on which kind of bearing work the best.and do you need special races any one have any info thanx | | | | | Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 3,588 Moderator | | Moderator Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 3,588 | I put new front bearings in my 6400 this
fall that had the barrel shaped bearings.
The best parts man in this area side that
tapered was the way to go.Had to replace
both the races and bearings.They went to
gether just fine and adjusted and spun
normal.A good parts man can get you the
same dem. tapered bearings.
DON
1967 GMC 9500 Fire Ladder Truck"The Flag Pole"In the Stovebolt Gallery1946 2-Ton grain truck 1946 3/4-ton pickup, 1953 1-ton pickup 1957 1-ton flatbed dually, 1954 Pontiac Straight Eight Of all the things I've lost in my life, I miss my mind the most! | | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 1,904 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2001 Posts: 1,904 | There was a pretty good posting on this subject a while ago. I think a Timken Bearing fellow said "why change them?" He gave reasons for keeping the ball bearings (run cooler, etc.). I've driven my '48 3/4T daily for 9 1/2 years on the ball bearings (max. 45 MPH, though). Of course, if they got completely trashed, I'd consider going to rollers if they were cheaper.
1948 3/4-Ton 5-Window Flatbed Chevrolet 34 Years. Now with a '61 261, 848 head, Rochester Monojet carb, SM420 4-speed, 4.10 rear, dual reservoir MC, Bendix up front, 235/85R16 tires, 12-volt w/alternator, electric wipers and a modern radio in the glove box.
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 3,588 Moderator | | Moderator Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 3,588 | Wally
There's a differance between ball bearings,
tapered roller bearings,and barrel shaped
bearings. I've never seen ball bearings
on a spindle before.
Am I missing something in my life?
I went with tapered roller bearings
because every car/truck/trailer I've
worked on has always had tapered bearings
until this "50" 2-Ton.
There must be a reason.
fittyfive
Unless your a diehard keep it original
fan, I'd go with the tapered roller
bearings.
DON
1967 GMC 9500 Fire Ladder Truck"The Flag Pole"In the Stovebolt Gallery1946 2-Ton grain truck 1946 3/4-ton pickup, 1953 1-ton pickup 1957 1-ton flatbed dually, 1954 Pontiac Straight Eight Of all the things I've lost in my life, I miss my mind the most! | | | | | Joined: Mar 2001 Posts: 316 Member | | Member Joined: Mar 2001 Posts: 316 | When I rebuilt the front end on my '51 GMC 2 ton, I had to replace one of the bearings. Timken no longer produces "tapered" or barrel shaped roller bearings. I had to order a "retrofit" to a tapered bearing and it cost almost $300 (from Timken) and that was for the small bearing. I was unable to obtain grease seals, so I had to re-use them. Anyone know of a source? I need to re-pack them soon, it has been almost 4 years and 3k miles!
*** GMC ***
| | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 1,904 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2001 Posts: 1,904 | fiftyfive and 2-Ton, I'm one of the slowest ones in these forums and I'm doing less work on my '48 3/4T than practically anybody, but I've got ball bearings up front. They sell ball bearing replacements and show pictures at http://www.americanclassic.com/. There are also roller bearing/race conversions for a bit cheaper. Are we talking about the same thing?
1948 3/4-Ton 5-Window Flatbed Chevrolet 34 Years. Now with a '61 261, 848 head, Rochester Monojet carb, SM420 4-speed, 4.10 rear, dual reservoir MC, Bendix up front, 235/85R16 tires, 12-volt w/alternator, electric wipers and a modern radio in the glove box.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2001 Posts: 316 Member | | Member Joined: Mar 2001 Posts: 316 | Wally, the ball bearing replacements are readily available, as well as the grease seals for 1 ton and lower models. The heavier trucks got the "barrel" type tapered roller bearings  .
*** GMC ***
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 3,588 Moderator | | Moderator Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 3,588 | I've never seen or heard of roller bearings
on front spindles before. Thats why this
site is so good,there's not a single time
I've been here and have not learned at
least something. Thanks for the info.
DON
1967 GMC 9500 Fire Ladder Truck"The Flag Pole"In the Stovebolt Gallery1946 2-Ton grain truck 1946 3/4-ton pickup, 1953 1-ton pickup 1957 1-ton flatbed dually, 1954 Pontiac Straight Eight Of all the things I've lost in my life, I miss my mind the most! | | |
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