The Ford Barn

Chris H · 07-26-2015, 04:33 PM

Hi Fellas,
I am in the process of ordering the parts to reinstall my new brake components. While in the process of ordering parts, I see in Bratton's catalog that there is a front hub grease seal that is supposed to be driven into the hub. This dust seal has no seal in it, just a cup. What I find on my car is a cup that is tight on the base of the spindle. (See attached photo.) This is the way I found it, on both sides. Is this cup supposed to be here? Should I order the drive in dust seals and use them? Les Andrew's book makes no mention of them. I am confused.
My second question is in regards to the rear hub bearings. While cleaning up the bearings, I noticed that one of the bearing rollers is shorter than the others. (See attached photo.) The roller does not appear to be worn, as there are chamfers on both ends of the roller, just like the others. Is this normal? Should I use the bearing?
As always, thanks for the help.

Chris

MAG · 07-26-2015, 05:55 PM

Is this cup supposed to be here? Yes, it is correct as is.

If the bearing surface on the housing and in the hub are Ok I see no reason to change the bearing. However, I would change it for "feel good" reasons.

john in illinois · 07-26-2015, 07:46 PM

If you can I would advise to stick with the used genuine Ford bearings. Many new bearings are not good quality.

John

Tom Wesenberg · 07-26-2015, 08:48 PM

I would stick with the original Ford dust shield and bearings. Even though the front bearing doesn't have a seal like modern cars, they do quite well the way they were built. You'll probably be cleaning and repacking it every 10,000 miles anyway.

Chris H · 07-27-2015, 07:18 AM

Thank you all for the replies. I appreciate it. It has never been my intention to redesign the hubs. I just want to bring it back to the original spec. I finally found a photograph of the front hub, which shows the cup in place like I found it on mine. I am finding so many things that were assembled incorrectly that I am gun shy on what I am finding on my car.
I have found that a .060" shim washer has been placed behind the right rear hub bearing and not on the left. It was located in the bottom of the bore. I can not see any reason for it to be there. Any thoughts as to why? The bore depths are the same.
I do plan to reuse the original bearing shown. I was just concerned about the odd length of the roller. Is this typical?
Thanks again.
Chris

Tom Wesenberg · 07-27-2015, 09:18 AM

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I'd guess the short roller was just a factory fluke, and I'd use it without worry.

Chris H · 07-27-2015, 11:58 AM

Thanks Tom. Will do.

J Witt · 07-27-2015, 04:31 PM

If the short roller is retained by the pin so it runs in its position without getting loose in the bearing cage, you're probably OK. If the short roller can get loose in the cage it will cause excessive wear as it rubs on the adjacent rollers and also possibly run at an angle to the inner/outer races instead of parallel to axle center line as intended.

John

07-26-2015, 05:55 PM	#2
MAG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 926	Re: Front hub, rear bearing questions Is this cup supposed to be here? Yes, it is correct as is. If the bearing surface on the housing and in the hub are Ok I see no reason to change the bearing. However, I would change it for "feel good" reasons. __________________ I noticed the harder I work the luckier I get!

07-26-2015, 07:46 PM	#3
john in illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,220	Re: Front hub, rear bearing questions If you can I would advise to stick with the used genuine Ford bearings. Many new bearings are not good quality. John

07-26-2015, 08:48 PM	#4
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Front hub, rear bearing questions I would stick with the original Ford dust shield and bearings. Even though the front bearing doesn't have a seal like modern cars, they do quite well the way they were built. You'll probably be cleaning and repacking it every 10,000 miles anyway.

07-27-2015, 07:18 AM	#5
Chris H Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Wood River, IL Posts: 119	Re: Front hub, rear bearing questions Thank you all for the replies. I appreciate it. It has never been my intention to redesign the hubs. I just want to bring it back to the original spec. I finally found a photograph of the front hub, which shows the cup in place like I found it on mine. I am finding so many things that were assembled incorrectly that I am gun shy on what I am finding on my car. I have found that a .060" shim washer has been placed behind the right rear hub bearing and not on the left. It was located in the bottom of the bore. I can not see any reason for it to be there. Any thoughts as to why? The bore depths are the same. I do plan to reuse the original bearing shown. I was just concerned about the odd length of the roller. Is this typical? Thanks again. Chris

07-27-2015, 09:18 AM	#6
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Front hub, rear bearing questions Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I'd guess the short roller was just a factory fluke, and I'd use it without worry.

07-27-2015, 11:58 AM	#7
Chris H Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Wood River, IL Posts: 119	Re: Front hub, rear bearing questions Thanks Tom. Will do.

07-27-2015, 04:31 PM	#8
J Witt Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Acworth GA Posts: 534	Re: Front hub, rear bearing questions If the short roller is retained by the pin so it runs in its position without getting loose in the bearing cage, you're probably OK. If the short roller can get loose in the cage it will cause excessive wear as it rubs on the adjacent rollers and also possibly run at an angle to the inner/outer races instead of parallel to axle center line as intended. John __________________ Houston, Tranquility base here. The Eagle has landed.