Wheel bearing issue.

[adsm08]

Ok, I am doing brakes for a friend on an 01 focus, new stuff all around including drums. I was almost done with it, go the last drum on, things were a little tight still so I popped the drum back off to turn them down a bit more and the outboard inner race came out of the bearing.

I have had the inner races start to come out and pressed them back in without issue but never had one come completely out. This is a roller bearing, not a ball bearing like most other small wheel bearings I have seen. Can I press the race back in without damaging the rollers?

Postin' from teh Galaxy

 

[bmerr98]

I'm having a hard time getting a mental image. Is it an all metal bearing? I've seen some smaller roller bearings with a plastic housing and metal rollers. If it's all metal I think you should be able to press the race in without damaging the bearing. Not an expert by any stretch, but I'd give it a shot if I were in your shoes. Worst case you'd need a new bearing and race, right?

 

[adsm08]

Well its a brand new assembly since the bearing stays with the drum. If I could get it together the nut will keep it from coming apart again, I just don't want to damage and then decide I need to take it back to the store and get it exchanged.

Postin' from teh Galaxy

 

[adsm08]

Here are pics of what I am dealing with.

Coned rollers:




Race:




The more I think about it though, if the race was able to come out with such little effort, even with the nut holding it all together the bearing may never be right. It may get loose quickly, so I think I am just gonna take it back and get it exchanged for a new one.

 

[enjr44]

adsm08. You last post went up while I was typing LOL.

Well, you have probably decided what you are going to do already. If it was me and I bought a new drum and the race was loose, the supplier would defiantly get it back. The drum or the race is incorrect.

I would be worried about lateral run out and having the drum wobbling around the race. The race is the only thing keeping the drum in alignment. It could only get worse with time.

Ed

 

[adsm08]

I would be worried about lateral run out and having the drum wobbling around the race. The race is the only thing keeping the drum in alignment. It could only get worse with time.

Ed

That's my concern as well. And since the rear of the Focus is like the front of the TTB Rangers, the drum also serves as the wheel hub, any looseness or lateral runout in the drum transfers directly to the wheel, making it a safety hazard. Since this whole job was prompted by the brakes failing the annual state safety inspection I would really like to not put in another rejectable condition.

 

[SenorNoob]

How does something like that even happen? Are tolerances on the replacements THAT bad?