engine and drivetrain Renewing Rear Wheel Bearings

[Simeon]

I wouldn't mess with the design here as it is too critical to go your own way and deal with unintended consequences. The internal spacer rotates with the stub axle and while it should be centred and not touch the housing, I would be concerned about that running dry. 

[TobyB]

Hmm, I wonder-

As I noted 4 years back, the grease is moving around some.

Would a sealed bearing cool well enough?

The stock bearing's a 'deep groove', to take high radial loads,

but I think that you can get that sealed, now.

 

Given that the stock setup is good for 10+ years untouched,

I'd be hesitant to try something different, but only because I'm conservative-

check the temp and load ratings on the sealed bearing, and if it looks good,

let us know how it goes...

 

t

 

[jerryasi]

So to keep the spacer happy I'll use 35 g of grease, it just seems odd to remove the skf seals to replicate the 1974 open bearing. I'm competing this un-needed service on a 40 plus year old wheel bearing.

[TobyB]

If it's not needed, why are you doing it?

 

From the E30 onwards, the rear bearings ARE sealed.

 

The spacer doesn't need grease.  If the sealed bearings are deep groove and rated

for wheel service, and you want to use them that way, try it. 

 

What Simeon and I are both saying is that we've been using open bearings

and haven't had any problems with them.  Thus, we would continue to

do it that way. 

If you want to use sealed, as long as the ratings are right you shouldn't have any problems.

 

t

Edited October 9, 2017 by TobyB