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Rear wheel bearings

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oval TOFU Bitte, ein Bit!

2,946 posts · joined Jul 2003 ·

#775512
Hey all
Just wanted to know who runs unsealed wheel bearings on a lowered beetle. I was wondering if you were to use 'stock' unsealed, bearings, would they be starved of oil due to the negative camber of the rear wheels?

On a similar note, who uses sealed bearings? Do they seem to last?

Thanks!
...and Robert's ya father's brother...

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#775516
Chris

good point they should be unsealed on the rear axle to allow the oil flow to the balls

if you do happen to buy seal type the plates can be flicked out pretty easy with a screw driver

when replacing them you should re face the bearing retainer to make it flat wet n dry on a glass plate
this will help with sealing and stoping oil leaks from a distorted retainer face
I read it on FACEBOOK so it must be true


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=91278&page=1#pid848630


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=63561&page=1#pid624099


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=4832&page=1#pid452603


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=60650&page=1#pid574409

oval TOFU Bitte, ein Bit!

2,946 posts · joined Jul 2003 ·

#775585
vw54 wrote:Chris

good point they should be unsealed on the rear axle to allow the oil flow to the balls

if you do happen to buy seal type the plates can be flicked out pretty easy with a screw driver

when replacing them you should re face the bearing retainer to make it flat wet n dry on a glass plate
this will help with sealing and stoping oil leaks from a distorted retainer face
Hey Dave
Wouldn't it be ok with the grease inside the sealed bearing? Or don't they suit this application?

Reason I'm asking is that I'm getting a roaring noise which is quite evident at 70--80kph.. and I can feel a high frequency vibration though my steering wheel. The front bearings are fine as I repacked them a couple weeks ago..
...and Robert's ya father's brother...

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#775599
oval TOFU wrote:Hey all
Just wanted to know who runs unsealed wheel bearings on a lowered beetle. I was wondering if you were to use 'stock' unsealed, bearings, would they be starved of oil due to the negative camber of the rear wheels?

On a similar note, who uses sealed bearings? Do they seem to last?

Thanks!
there is not enough grease in a bearing to last as a rear wheel bearing...

When using ball bearings, I pop out a seal, and fill with lithium based Moly grease... and put the seal back in place...

did You use lithium based Moly grease in the front wheel bearings?
blackish-bluish grease...
what's recommended by Volkswagen..

if the grease was green... its clay based grease..

I only use it on My tappet cover gaskets....

never in bearings..

Negative camber..!! Just make sure You fill Your gearbox up
so there is enough oil to do the job...
I haven't heard of anyone having problems with negative camber and oil to the bearings..

naturally, they weren't like that from the factory..

LEE
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#775601
oval TOFU wrote:Hey Dave
Wouldn't it be ok with the grease inside the sealed bearing?
Or don't they suit this application? NO..

Reason I'm asking is that I'm getting a roaring noise which is quite evident at 70--80kph.. and I can feel a high frequency vibration though my steering wheel.
The front bearings are fine as I repacked them a couple weeks ago..



did You check that the bearings were OK
before refilling with grease?

if they were pitted or badly worn
grease may help, but that's not fixing the problem by the sound of it..

I would think if You can feel it thru Your steering wheel
it would eb the front wheel bearings..??

LEE

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#775627
Wouldn't it be ok with the grease inside the sealed bearing? Or don't they suit this application?
No they really should have the oil circulating not grease, if you do have grease then the oil will eventually wash it out every time you go round a corner and the oil surges
I read it on FACEBOOK so it must be true


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=91278&page=1#pid848630


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=63561&page=1#pid624099


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=4832&page=1#pid452603


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=60650&page=1#pid574409

sdat Seriously Crusin Dubber

123 posts · joined Apr 2005 ·

#776097
I think the question was. Does the transmission oil get to the bearings in a lowered rear end when the axle tubes are rising up toward the wheels?

1303Steve Scirocco Rare

8,650 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#776105
O I'm getting a roaring noise which is quite evident at 70--80kph.. and I can feel a high frequency vibration though my steering wheel. The front bearings are fine as I repacked them a couple weeks ago..


Hi

Do you have a roof rack on the car, they can make horrible noises.

Steve

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#776184
OK so vibs through the wheel

Check all the front end tie rods King n lings for wear wheel bearing tightness Good bearings

Wheel nut / bolt / lug tightness DONT over tighten

I dont think vibs at the front will transmit from the rear are yr front wheels balance correctly

that will keep u going 4 a while
I read it on FACEBOOK so it must be true


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=91278&page=1#pid848630


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=63561&page=1#pid624099


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=4832&page=1#pid452603


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=60650&page=1#pid574409

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#776185
Does the transmission oil get to the bearings in a lowered rear end when the axle tubes are rising up toward the wheels?

yes depending on how many corners you go around the oil will slosh out
I read it on FACEBOOK so it must be true


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=91278&page=1#pid848630


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=63561&page=1#pid624099


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=4832&page=1#pid452603


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=60650&page=1#pid574409