Front Wheel Bearings

[64fleetside]

When I first got my 129 I was working the parts store, had both kinds on the shelf, those cheaper bearings had as much slop as the originals so i went with the sealed.

[kuleinc]

Amen brother. I'm not even sure there are any real bearing shops left in California. If the bearings I pulled out are dry but spin freely, should I just clean lube and re use them? One or two weren't exactly a press fit into the wheel bore anymore... As in one just fell out...

[Yosemite Sam]

If the old bearing fell out of the wheel, the new one will most likely do the same thing.

The center in the wheel is most likely mushroomed.

[olds45512]

Originally Posted by Yosemite Sam

If the old bearing fell out of the wheel, the new one will most likely do the same thing.

The center in the wheel is most likely mushroomed.

I once bought a tractor that had a little play in one of the front wheels, when I took the wheel off I found they used the wrong bearing and used strips of aluminum from a can to wrap the bearing to make it fit tighter. In there defense it was a Budweiser can and it probably sounded like a good idea at the time.

[Mike McKown]

I have used a beer can as a shim in the past. Much cheaper than a new wheel.

[olds45512]

Originally Posted by Mike McKown

I have used a beer can as a shim in the past. Much cheaper than a new wheel.

I could see if it were one or two wraps but this thing had over an 1/8" wrapped around it.

[64fleetside]

Yeah, you need to step up to a soup can in that case, Tim....

[Sam Mac]

Reading this thread, I have 2 suggestions. If the stock size bearing is too loose to be properly retained in your wheel you need to repair or replace your wheel.

[kuleinc]

What's the other suggestion?

[mortten]

Suggestion 1- Repair wheel. Suggestion 2- replace wheel