wheel bearrings shot fast >> Cause?

[bitchin_buick]

91Bird WS6 bought in the spring with terrible noise up front (passanger side) Not like metal to metal but a terrible noise > suspect wheel bearrings. While redoing the entire front brakes(Rotors,calipers,pads), replaced both inner and out wheel bearrings on both sides. Terrible noise is back, on the passanger side again... Rotor is smooth, not warped. Pads are fine. >>>Suspect wheel bearrings. What causes fast wheel bearring wear other than over tightening/under tightning?

[bitchin_buick]

Not certain if lack of good suspension suspension would play a part in this? I replaced the struts and end link bolts/bushings this summer as well as the above mentioned. Wheel bearrings keep going bad, ONLY on the passenger side.

[madmax]

Any signs when you take it apart of it being overly loose or tight you will want to take note of.

Its possible there is damage to the spindle itself (could be bent), causing a bind or causing it to seem tight but work its way loose later. I had to replace my spindle because the bearing had worn from the center cup into the spindle where the face of the cup rides, not the center part. It wore a groove in the spindle on the area right next to where the seal is. With a new bearing it was fine, until the edge of that cup wore and it dropped back and the whole thing was loose and tore up both bearings. So inspection of parts is going to tell the story. Look for any discoloration on the spindle where the bearings ride as well.

[JamesC]

Originally Posted by bitchin_buick

What causes fast wheel bearring wear other than over tightening/under tightning?

Inadequate lube.

JamesC

[bitchin_buick]

Originally Posted by madmax

Any signs when you take it apart of it being overly loose or tight you will want to take note of.

Its possible there is damage to the spindle itself (could be bent), causing a bind or causing it to seem tight but work its way loose later. I had to replace my spindle because the bearing had worn from the center cup into the spindle where the face of the cup rides, not the center part. It wore a groove in the spindle on the area right next to where the seal is. With a new bearing it was fine, until the edge of that cup wore and it dropped back and the whole thing was loose and tore up both bearings. So inspection of parts is going to tell the story. Look for any discoloration on the spindle where the bearings ride as well.

This is great new info for me to investigate.... Thank you... Mike

Originally Posted by JamesC

Inadequate lube.

JamesC

Good point I forgot to mention & I bought the fancy more expensive stuff!. So not the case, here anyways... Filled all them holes long and hard.....

[DeanJ]

Did you replace the races with the bearings? Bad races will cause this also. What mad max & james c said also. Dean

[chevymec]

Deffinatly replace the races everytime you replace the bearings even if they look good. It doesnt take long at all. How tight do you tighten them?

[bitchin_buick]

Replaced calipers/pads/bearrings(inner & outer). Rides great now! I think I may have not installed the wheel bearrings correct the first time(on that side) Thanks >>> She is great now!