54 front wheel bearings

[Guy M.]

I have the originals and they seem to be in good shape, should I use them or just use the new ones out there. I guess like anything else. sometimes the new technology is better. Thanks folks

[Domenic T.]

Re: 54 front wheel bearings

Guy,
I remember changing those round balls and races and I will be corrected on this but I think they were all similar in the early days.
I am doing a frame up on a 57 chevy convertable and had a spare set of bearing hubs off my 63 vette that looked identical and went on just great with the new style bearings. The only thing that I found different were the wheel bearing caps, the 57 caps were slightly larger. They did go on but with a little modification. The vette caps looked just fine also.

DOM

[Guy M.]

Re: 54 front wheel bearings

Thanks Dom, Im just curious if it really makes a difference, it would seem modern bearings have more contact area providing a more stable glide. Maybe not. I want to know if performance is improved, these cars can use all the help they can get. Thanks

[Alexander C.]

Re: 54 front wheel bearings

My '56 has 24K original miles and when I removed my bearings to turn the drums and re-grease them they were in perfect condition. I was very careful how much I pressure I put on the castle nut to get just enough but not too much. With new synthetic grease and making sure they are always the right torque, I an confident they will last for decades to come.

After the R&R they certainly spin MUCH better. I saw no reason at all to upgrade to something newer. It just didn't seem worth the expense and hassle when the originals were still seemingly perfect.

[Brett H.]

Re: 54 front wheel bearings

I normally re-grease them and keep using them as long as they are not scored from heat, previously.

[Guy M.]

Re: 54 front wheel bearings

Thanks guys, Ill use the originals seeing they seem to be in good shape. Thanks for the input!

[Chuck G.]

Re: 54 front wheel bearings

Don't forget that if you're using the original roller bearings, you need high fiber grease, NOT current disc brake grease and NOT synthetic grease.

Chuck

[Alexander C.]

Re: 54 front wheel bearings

Don't forget that if you're using the original roller bearings, you need high fiber grease, NOT current disc brake grease and NOT synthetic grease.

Chuck

Crap I used the red Mobil 1 synthetic grease on mine

[Jim L.]

Re: 54 front wheel bearings

Don't forget that if you're using the original roller bearings, you need high fiber grease, NOT current disc brake grease and NOT synthetic grease.

Chuck

Why? What happens if one doesn't use the high fiber grease?

Expiring minds want to know.....

Jim

[Randy G.]

Re: 54 front wheel bearings

Crap I used the red Mobil 1 synthetic grease on mine

Me too.

[Chuck G.]

Re: 54 front wheel bearings

Why? What happens if one doesn't use the high fiber grease?

Expiring minds want to know.....

Jim

Supposedly, the short or long fiber grease penetrates the entire ball bearing, and lubricates the balls of the bearing better, i.e. keeps the ball bearings wetter with grease. It's a "stringy" feeling and looking grease.

Ball bearings maintain "point to point" contact on the bearing race, whereas tapered bearings maintain a "surface to surface" contact. The fiber grease is supposed to lubricate ball bearings better due to its' fibrous, stringy consistency.

Is it that important? Probably not, as none of us drive these cars as daily drivers.

Chuck

[Alexander C.]

Re: 54 front wheel bearings

Is it that important? Probably not, as none of us drive these cars as daily drivers.

Chuck

I try to drive mine 3-4 times a week

[Wayne W.]

Re: 54 front wheel bearings

Chuck, My thinking is , the new grease has a much higher drop point than that old stuff. As the temperature gets up, it probably lubes even better. So I wouldnt worry about it. I use the new type in my `31,`33 Cadillacs that weigh 5000 Lbs. with no problems what so ever. And BTW, those bearings are almost 80 years old now. I couldn't find new ones if I wanted to. Bearings are designed for infinite life. If they are not abused, they will last virtually forever.

[Troy P.]

Re: 54 front wheel bearings

While we are on the subject of lube, note how frequently Chevy calls for service in the original service and owner's manuals. Most of us are used to extended intervals on our modern cars and never would think to hit the zerks or grease the wheel bearings so often. Some believe you really do need to follow the more frequent intervals given the state of the 50's technologies and tolerances. With no oil filters you can figure it makes sense to change engine oil often too.

[Guy M.]

Re: 54 front wheel bearings

Is our modern day grease ok for ball joints and the like? Excluding wheel bearings