How long will this last?

[andrewLL 31]

Hi, I’m just starting to restore a black hood and thought if I fix one of the front wheel bearings it will be easier to push around whilst I do other things. I’ve bought some new bearings but they’re not a patch on the original.  Seem to be made from pressed steel rather than solid turned metal and also the bearings appear much smaller. Can’t see them lasting 40 plus years like the originals.

[wallfish 19,555]

The pressed steel bearings are not as durable

[Achto 31,436]

I like to use the sealed bearings. Usually get a couple hundred hours out of them.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Pack-PGN-Flanged-Ball-Bearing/dp/B08HR2JNGJ/ref=sr_1_2_sspa

[sqrlgtr 2,424]

i use the ones in the link Achto posted above. I like the sealed because it keeps the grease off of them newly painted wheels .

[WHX?? 55,861]

 It's been suggested before to pick the seal out, clean the grease out and repack with quality grease. 

Never used the ones above so don't know if that's required. 

 

Those bearings are a dime a dozen and I went thru a few of them until I found ones that were even half way decent quality. 

 

14 minutes ago, sqrlgtr said:

keeps the grease off of them newly painted wheels

Trailer queens yes I leave the seal in. If I'm gonna stick it in the dirt I leave the seal out and re-grease. 

Those nifty hub caps Lowell sells helps keep dirt out. 

[mrc 1,068]

NOTHING lasts as long as the original stuff these days.   but they are cheap!   made in china...UGH   

[WHX?? 55,861]

8 minutes ago, mrc said:

but they are cheap! 

Yea is also been suggested just run em like ya stole em & replace every so often. It's not like it's a major job to replace them. 

[DLF 1]

I have had good luck with the Xike wheel bearings. Put a set in the 312-8 in 2015 and a set in 1989 520 in 2019 .Might be time to pull the seals and grease them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm Lee 1977

Edited 4 hours ago by DLF

[kpinnc 17,647]

5 hours ago, andrewLL said:

Can’t see them lasting 40 plus years like the originals

 

I've kept a handful of those stamped bearings just for "get back to the shed" emergencies, but that is all they are good for. 

 

If, and only IF your spindles are in good shape then you can use Stens heavy duty bearings (see the pic below) and grease caps. Some folks prefer sealed bearings, I do not. A shot of grease every few months makes a mess but it will make a bearing last for decades. If I have to use sealed bearings, I remove the inner seals and make use of the grease fittings.