I've just put on a new disc and rotor (got to do the other tonight) and have re-used my old bearings (they look fine). I have just been looking through loads of searches to make sure I'm doing it right when I see constant reference to bearing races. Can somebody explain exactly what they are....

Also I didn't turn the rotor whilst snugging the nut- does this matter?

Thanks

 

I am not a fan of re-using bearings, or races. being that a new bearing and race is just a couple of bucks, it is cheap insurance, IMHO.

The race is what the bearing rides in, you have to pound them out, and drive the new ones in. i usualy use a punch and screw driver to get them out, and then a brass punch to slowly work them into place.

 

Wow thanks for the quick response. So chances are that my original races are still in the old rotor? Does it therefore go between the bearing and the inside of the disc? Still confused... Sorry I'm being a pain. Would my new rotors have come with the races already in them?

Thanks

 

Yes, the races are in the old rotors. if you guy and buy new inner and out bearings, they will come with races. the races fit in the rotor before the bearings, you drive them first, the are tappered to match the taper of the bearing.

 

ZZ42Fast, your new rotor has new races (shiny tapered things in the middle of the rotor). The races in the rotor are known as "cups" the bearing assembly itself is known as a "cone". You want the "cones". That's a little auto tech jargon for ya! Go to the parts store and tell them you want new bearings (cones) to go with your rotors. The bearings won't cost $10.

 

Phew, I did wonder as after putting it all back together it seemed to spin fine!

So I have reused my old cones but have new cups within the new rotors I bought. Sadly don't have a store near me in good old Blighty that will carry the bearings. Quite costly over here so I'll leave it for now. Main thing is that I have the hardware I need in the new rotors.

Thanks,
Felix

 

I suppose England might be a little more expensive!

If your having that hard of a time getting bearings call Summit Racing or Jegs. Ship worldwide, easy as pie!

 

Thanks Mike but as my bearings are quite good I will re-use them. Should be ok.

Cheers,
Felix

 

Actually, the same bearings are very likely to fit lots of other cars. There are international standards for such things, and the same bearings should be readily available there as here.

 

There's no real issue with reusing bearings AS LONG as they don't show signs of overheating, cracks, or wear. I would feel safe reusing bearings with up to 50K miles on them but no more if they are in good shape. Just inspect them VERY close for the signs I mentioned. Also, I always spin the rotor as I'm tightening the bearings down as I seat them, that's the way I was taught.

Ed

 

i dont know if anywhere over there carriers federal mogul (BCA) stuff, but the ones you need would be A34 (outer) and A6 (inner), unless you have the 1LE package, then you need an A3 outer