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| | | | Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,841 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,841 | Since I'm rebuiling my new front end, what's the advantage of replacing the original ball front wheel bearings with roller bearings. Is it worth it?
Craig My '50 Chevy 3100 5 window, '62-235cu, 3:55 rear My truck ....... Respect The Rust If I'm not working on my truck, '65 m00stang or VW camper, I'm fishing with the wife or smoking Salmon.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 140 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 140 | Tapered roller bearings resist side loads (e.g. cornering) better than ball bearings. For similar sizes, they also handle weight better.
Is it worth converting? I dunno, how much work is it? Roller bearings would last longer....
Cheers!
George | | | | | Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 3,458 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 3,458 | I don't have a problem with ball bearings and radials. They withstand side impact fine, it the sharp impact of hitting a pothole that they don't like. My BMW has ball bearings, they lasted more than 150k miles. You can buy two sets of balls for the cost of a conversion kit, which will last about as long as two sets of balls.
Paint & Body Shop moderator
A lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,897 Member | | Member Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,897 | Who needs two sets of balls :confused:  Tapered rollers are nice but I do not think the cost parts and money, is really worth it. i have seen many tapered roller bearing that have failed after a short time. PREVENTIVE maintenance is what keeps these trucks on the road and they are made to be serviced 
There is enough good in the worst of us and enough bad in the best of us that it does not behoove any of us to criticize the rest of us.
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Be yourself. If you are ever lost, It will be much easier to find yourself if you know who you are!
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,841 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,841 | Napa is selling ball bearing sets with races at such a good price, I'll go that direction, especially since I'm not using radials.
Craig My '50 Chevy 3100 5 window, '62-235cu, 3:55 rear My truck ....... Respect The Rust If I'm not working on my truck, '65 m00stang or VW camper, I'm fishing with the wife or smoking Salmon.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2002 Posts: 158 knuckle head | | knuckle head Joined: Sep 2002 Posts: 158 | Why do you think roller bearings are necessary with radials? The rear axle on many older vehicles use roller bearings,are they a problem also? My truck has ball bearings and radial tires, no problems for 10 years. | | |
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