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Rear wheel bearings
oval TOFU - April 28th, 2010 at 02:04 PM

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!

vw54 - April 28th, 2010 at 02:30 PM

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

oval TOFU - April 28th, 2010 at 10:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by vw54
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..

68AutoBug - April 28th, 2010 at 11:39 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by oval TOFU
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

68AutoBug - April 28th, 2010 at 11:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by oval TOFU

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

vw54 - April 29th, 2010 at 07:13 AM

Quote:

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

sdat - May 2nd, 2010 at 09:14 AM

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 - May 2nd, 2010 at 10:17 AM

Quote:
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 - May 2nd, 2010 at 06:44 PM

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

vw54 - May 2nd, 2010 at 06:45 PM

Quote:

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