Front Wheel Bearing Question

[Pollack Pete 2,273]

I've been spending some time bead blasting,priming,and painting front Wheel Horse wheels.I've noticed the front wheel bearings,for lack of a better word,are crap.Has anyone come up with any numbers for a better bearing? My GT-14's and D-160's have tapered roller bearings.All the others I have use the crappy little shoulder bearings.That is,all the others except my old 700 series and Rj's that use a bushing.Thanks for any and all info.

[stevasaurus 23,281]

Are you also looking for an alternative for the front hub and bearing. I happen to have boat trailer hubs and bearings on my 702. It took a sleeve to sit on the axle to accept the ID of the bearing and some large washers on either side of the hub. The end of the axle has also been drilled to accept a 3/8" bolt (I think that is the right size) with a 9/16" hex head. It works great and I have had no problems at all.

In the last picture, the 3 pieces on the top right are the spacers or shims on the axle...there is no ridge on them, as appears in the photo, that is just grease...I should have wiped them off. From right to left is how it goes back together...not shown is the inner bearing that is still in the hub with the grease seal. Why there is 3 pieces of shim, I do not know...just what is there, I think it could be one piece. Hope that helps.

[squonk 43,844]

There are different grades of those cheapie bearings also. You can buy one that will work for like $3.50 but they are really made for wheelbarrows. Or you can go to the dealer or Napa with their Small Engine line and spend $12 apiece for a much better bearing.

[Don1977 605]

I had a bad wheel and cut up spindle so I did this 15 years ago. The link below is a thread that shows it.

http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/index.php?...topic=10366&hl=

I don't know if my computer to old or Photobucket no longer allows us to use Fire fox, but I can not get it to work.

[sorekiwi 761]

http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/index.php?...l=wheel+bearing

[WH854 45]

:thumbs: Don photobucket is getting a new face lift. I couldn't get on for a while today!!!!

Chas

[tarcoleo 119]

Pete-

The loading on most WH front wheels is so low, the cheapo flanged bearings

are quite adequate. And its easy enough to replace them when needed.

You can get the cheapos here for $1.95 each at-

http://www.gokartsupply.com/bearings.htm

Good enough is good enough.

Tom in RI

PS- Please include your location or state in your postings.