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Re: Wheel bearings

To: Richard Taylor <n196x@mindspring.com>
Subject: Re: Wheel bearings
From: Joe Curry <spitlist@gte.net>
Date: Mon, 01 May 2000 18:40:29 -0700

Richard Taylor wrote:
> 
> Fellow FOTers,
> On the fifth lap in the HSR Enduro yesterday at Road Atlanta, I had my
> right front wheel-bearing blow out.  No whining, no growling, no wobble,
> just PUUSHH!  The tire went catywompus; billowed huge amounts of smoke
> until it blew.  Then there was just the lumpy excursion off into 50 yards
> of freshly mowed grass.  Since it was so early into the race, I had an
> exclusive (but rather lonely) spectator spot.
> 
> Alan Pinel lent me his spare wheel bearing kit so I got to run the Vintage
> Race that afternoon..and did OK.
> 
> This brings me to the question.  What is the accepted drill for checking
> wheel bearings?  I wiggled the tires before the qualifying race and they
> seemed fine.  Does just tugging at the top of the tire really tell you
> anything?

It tells you if there is too much slack in the bearing and very little else.  
It's not a bad idea to pull, inspect and re-pack the
bearings periodically.  

I had a bearing seize on a '67 Camaro I autocrossed on the late 60's and it got 
so hot that it took out the spindle too.  You can't be
too careful with those parts!


Regards,
Joe Curry

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