Wheel bearing question

[jaymonkey]

How much Play/grinding/movement should be in a wheelbearing? In other words is there a way of deciding when they are to worn to re-grease and re install? I'm sure this is something that you develop a "feel" for but are there any guidelines?

Thanks

Jason

[wcfvw69]

When you look at the bearing and races they should be pit free and smooth. If you put the bearing in the race and it feels rough, then it's time to throw them away. I have spun a front tire on a bug before with the front end in the air and you can feel bad bearing or hear them when they get all pitted up. If the races that the bearings ride on look like they have been overheated due to a deep blue/black color than you should replace them as they are not very expensive.
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[PierreDeKat]

If you want, sometimes you can clean a few tiny little flakes out of your bearings, repack them, and buy yourself a little time.

But if you still feel/hear some grittyness after repacking and driving for awhile, I would definitely go ahead and buy new ones.

As far as play is concerned, IIRC, you're supposed to keep total wheel-play under like 1/16 of an inch. Something like that, anyway.

That's something like 1/1000th of an inch at the bearing, triangulated out several inches to the surface of the tire.

But you want to tighten the bearings to the point where they are snug, but you can still slide the washer underneath the nut.

This guarantees that there is at least a minimum of breathing room underneath.
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[jaymonkey]

Ok. Thanks for the responses. I've changed bearings many times just never re-used old ones. I just picked this car up and I think they have a few miles left. But I'll watch them.

Jason

[roymann]

jaymonkey
Here is the test for wheel bearing wear:
Jack up the front or rear of the car.
On the front - Place both hands on the wheel - one at 12 o'clock - one at 6 o'clock. Rock it back an forth.
Very slight movement?....roll the wheel - no noise?...you have some miles left.
Big movement........the bearings are trashed.

On the rear....make sure the E-Brake is off....then same thing basically.
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