What would make wheel bearings wear premature?

twilightcall · 09-07-2003, 05:32 AM

This is on an 83' 5.0. This is a friend's car. He has rear drum brakes and says his rear wheel bearings need replacement after 16K miles. He is wondering why they need to be replaced so soon. I wasn't sure if drums had wheel bearings. Would you change them the same way you change the fronts?

QuantumMotorsports · 09-08-2003, 01:02 PM

Every wheel on any car has a bearing. That's what allows them to turn. The bearings on a solid rear axle are lubricated by the rear end gear oil. Check the level. You have to pull the diff cover, wheel and axle to change the bearings on a rear end.

twilightcall · 09-08-2003, 01:50 PM

Ok but what would make them go bad after 16K miles? Not due to lack of lube. Others have suggested the previous bearing that went bad may have harmed the axle. This sounds more reasonable than lack of lubrication. These bearings should last much longer than 16K. Let me know if you have any ideas.

QuantumMotorsports · 09-08-2003, 07:25 PM

Why not lack of lube? Maybe the axle is messed up. If the bearing doesn't get lubed, it will eat itself quick. If it didn't get installed correctly it would tear itself up too.

09-07-2003, 05:32 AM	#1
twilightcall Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 86	What would make wheel bearings wear premature? This is on an 83' 5.0. This is a friend's car. He has rear drum brakes and says his rear wheel bearings need replacement after 16K miles. He is wondering why they need to be replaced so soon. I wasn't sure if drums had wheel bearings. Would you change them the same way you change the fronts?

09-08-2003, 01:02 PM	#2
QuantumMotorsports Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Norman, Oklahoma, USA Posts: 597	Every wheel on any car has a bearing. That's what allows them to turn. The bearings on a solid rear axle are lubricated by the rear end gear oil. Check the level. You have to pull the diff cover, wheel and axle to change the bearings on a rear end. __________________ Michael Black QuantumMotorsports Norman, OK 1984 LX Hatch 306 w/ TRW forged flat toppers, Comp Cams Magnum 292H, GT40P heads w/ 3 angle valve job, .550 lift springs, Angus Racing Roller Rockers, Weiand Stealth Intake, Holley 4150 650cfm carb, MAC 1 5/8 Long Tubes, Single Chamber Flowmasters, 91' T5 w/ Pro 5.0 shifter, Turbo Coupe 8.8 Rear w/ 3.55 gears, QA1 Motorsports tubular K member, no interior except steering wheel and seat. Coming soon: 6 or 8 point cage, Fuel Cell, Weld Draglites

09-08-2003, 07:25 PM	#4
QuantumMotorsports Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Norman, Oklahoma, USA Posts: 597	Why not lack of lube? Maybe the axle is messed up. If the bearing doesn't get lubed, it will eat itself quick. If it didn't get installed correctly it would tear itself up too. __________________ Michael Black QuantumMotorsports Norman, OK 1984 LX Hatch 306 w/ TRW forged flat toppers, Comp Cams Magnum 292H, GT40P heads w/ 3 angle valve job, .550 lift springs, Angus Racing Roller Rockers, Weiand Stealth Intake, Holley 4150 650cfm carb, MAC 1 5/8 Long Tubes, Single Chamber Flowmasters, 91' T5 w/ Pro 5.0 shifter, Turbo Coupe 8.8 Rear w/ 3.55 gears, QA1 Motorsports tubular K member, no interior except steering wheel and seat. Coming soon: 6 or 8 point cage, Fuel Cell, Weld Draglites

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09-08-2003, 01:50 PM	#3
twilightcall Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 86	Ok but what would make them go bad after 16K miles? Not due to lack of lube. Others have suggested the previous bearing that went bad may have harmed the axle. This sounds more reasonable than lack of lubrication. These bearings should last much longer than 16K. Let me know if you have any ideas.