Wheel bearing upgrade

[Joel Shields]

Looking to go from the tapered bearing style to a bolt in hub style. I know that the spindles brakes rotors calipers will also need to change. But what vehicle has spindles that share the same geometry? I just want to simply bolt it in have an alignment and be done with it.

Any help will be greatly appreciated thank you

 

[Joel Shields]

By the way it is a 1999 Mazda b2500/ranger

 

[Uncle Gump]

None of them...

 

[Curious Hound]

That's an expensive project just for "simplicity" . Those things cost a lot to replace compared to traditional tapered roller bearings.

 

[Joel Shields]

I don't mind the cost they last longer as well as being simpler. It doesn't have to be be a ranger or even a Ford part for that matter. Just as long as it will work. Has anyone tried this at all? If not I guess I'll have one made. Billet aluminum would be cool.

 

[Snoranger]

Why? The stock setup works. I've gone well over 100K miles on the original bearings.

How can you consider it an upgrade? It's more expensive to fix, can't be serviced, usually aren't as strong, etc... sounds like a downgrade to me.

I'll give you that it's simple... unbolt, throw away, bolt in new. That's not including seized in place by rust, though.

 

[JOLENE_THE_RANGER]

Short answer No pepboys part will do that.
long ansert. you can get custom spindles made with a 12 bolt snout block from pro am or camburg and then run a 2" or 2.5" aluminum race hub.

snout block
https://camburg.com/shop/drivetrain/camburg-4130-bolt-on-snout-block/

snout
https://camburg.com/shop/drivetrain/camburg-2-50-front-bolt-on-spindle-snouts/

hub
https://camburg.com/shop/drivetrain/camburg-2-50-front-hub-kit-5-on-5-5/

they make a spindle for rangers ready for the hub set up but that spindle is designed to be used with uniballs as the lower and upper arm pivots not ball joints that your stock arms will have.

will cost more than your ranger as a whole. but its what youre looking for and fully serviceable.

 

[pjtoledo]

maybe,, MAYBE,,, you could have a shop press the bearing spindle stub out and find a way to install one from a 1998 Crown Vic, or some years Mustang.
then see what it takes to align the rotor to the calipers.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

Switching to a unit style bearing over a tapered bearing is NOT an upgrade.

 

[adsm08]

I don't mind the cost they last longer as well as being simpler.

They do not last longer.

My 1988 B2 has it's original factory wheel bearings. You will NEVER find find a unit bearing that goes 250K miles or 31 years.

 

[Dirtman]

I have no words to describe how insane this idea is...

 

[8thTon]

I can't imagine wanting to switch away from adjustable, greaseable tapered bearings to press-in cartridge bearings.

 

[bobbywalter]

Guy must be a former jeep Cherokee owner.

 

[bobbywalter]

Or radically hates packing bearings

 

[sgtsandman]

The pressed in sealed bearings you are looking for can last as long as tapered roller bearings but you have to buy quality bearings (not parts super store bearing like AutoZone or Pep Boys), they have to be installed with a press and the proper bearing plate, and a few maintenance "secret" tips for best results. BUT the expense of doing the conversion so you can use such bearings is just not plain worth it. I'll take tapered roller bearings over a pressed in bearing any day. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.