I just finshed installing brand new rotors/bearings/seals, and Hawk brake pads on my GTA.

Everything went perfect but the auto parts store gave me the wrong outer wheel bearing for the front rotors. I didn't want to drop everything and go back for an exchange so I re-used the old ones. They appeard to be just fine and I made sure to pack them with lost of new grease.

My question is, should I take the time to get the correct bearings and install them or will the old bearings be just fine since they seemed alright? Also, if I keep the old ones in there, how much longer will they last? The car 100K miles and they may be the original outer bearings, but I don't know for sure...

 

they should last forever with correct preload, lubrication, and functional seals.

 

Thanks! That brings me to my next question though, is it possible to put the nut back on the spindle that holds the rotor on too tight? Thinking back I fell like I tightened them too much...

 

it is possible. don't ask how i know.....


what a mess i made. you don't want to do that.

 

well.... now you got the natives restless..... i myself am curious about how it happens.

send me a private message if you don't wanna post it here

i'm going to be tearing my red car apart, and working it over from the ground up.

 

Tighten the jam nut just till the play comes out of the rotor. Spin the rotor as you are tightening it and once the rotor starts to show resistence in spinning, back the jam nut to where the cotter pin will insert. It will feel to most first timers that it is not tight enough- but trust me it is. If you snug it too much you will burn up your bearings and spindle.

 

Thanks! I have 'em WAY to tight then I was torque 'n it down like it was a lug nut I'll loosen it up tomorrow...

 

Yes, AGood2.8 is absolutely right. Don't overtighten them. It's kinda like tigthening rocker arms; you have to stop tightening them when there's a certain resistance. As for life of the bearings, if you packed them well, they should be fine. After you tighten the jam nut correctly, a good way to tell is with the tire on, grab the tire and try to push in on it at the edges. If you can feel the tire moving a little like the wheel has play in it, you probably need new bearings.