ball bearing to roller bearing conversion

[OutLaw]

I have a 54 Chevy drum brakes. I want to know if anyone knows part #'s for a ball to Roller conversion?

Thanks Tyler

[rattlecanrods]

Do you have the ball bearing part numbers? I can cross-reference them in the Timken database...

[screwtheman]

Probably not exactly what you're looking for, but ECI provides the upgrade as a part of their disc brake conversion kits (http://www.ecihotrodbrakes.com/early_chevy_discbrake_conversions.html). It required an adaptor on the spindle and swapping the races out of the rotor. The kit provides both.

[OutLaw]

I can't read some of the part # but this is what I got.
Inner Bearing 909702
Inner Race 989552
Outer Race 909501
Can't read the number on the outer bearing though.

[long island vic]

i heard 70s full size chevy

[squirrel]

the 55-57 ball bearing hubs can be replaced with the early-mid 60s full size car roller hubs.

I don't think you'll find a "normal" roller bearing to replace the B52 inner bearing on the old car hubs. At least I couldn't find any when I was looking for them for my trucks. But on the bright side the ball bearings work fine, I have several original New Departure bearings in my 50s trucks, so they've been going strong for 50 yrs. I know it's nice to upgrade, but lately I'm getting the hamb mentality of only upgrading stuff that really needs it. wheel bearings are not in that category.

[Torkwrench]

Chevy Duty ( www.chevyduty.com (http://www.chevyduty.com/) ) lists replacement roller bearings for 55 - 59 trucks, both the inner and outer. However, my catalog is a few years old, so they may not sell them anymore. More importantly, I'm not sure if 54 and older passenger cars used the same front wheel bearings as 55 - 59 1/2 ton pickups.:confused: :confused: :confused: If they did use the same bearings, then these should work. I've bought a set of these bearings for my 55 1/2 ton. They work with the original front hubs and drums, so I didn't have to replace anything else but the bearings.

[Brandy]

I know it's nice to upgrade, but lately I'm getting the hamb mentality of only upgrading stuff that really needs it. wheel bearings are not in that category.

Still always a good idea to change them out just because............sure does suck when they go out on ya!! Daddy's get kinda upset when they have to drive clear from Fresno Ca to Las Vegas to pick you and your gosh darn Chevy :D

xxx
Brandy

If you take that COMPLETE bearing (inner and outters) to your local auto parts store (no NOT kragens) or a bearing place like Kanter, they can cross ref it for you and find the numbers if a few of them are missing.

[1oldtimer]

the 55-57 ball bearing hubs can be replaced with the early-mid 60s full size car roller hubs.

I don't think you'll find a "normal" roller bearing to replace the B52 inner bearing on the old car hubs. At least I couldn't find any when I was looking for them for my trucks. But on the bright side the ball bearings work fine, I have several original New Departure bearings in my 50s trucks, so they've been going strong for 50 yrs. I know it's nice to upgrade, but lately I'm getting the hamb mentality of only upgrading stuff that really needs it. wheel bearings are not in that category.

1961 chevy car was the first year for needle bearings, the hubs/bearings are the same from 1961-1968.

[Ed ke6bnl]

I believe Brothers truck has a kit for this change over. Ed ke6bnl
don't have the catalog here at work E d

[Tman]

I have a 54 Chevy drum brakes. I want to know if anyone knows part #'s for a ball to Roller conversion?

Thanks Tyler

Yeah, the Rockstars wanna know about 49-54s!?!?!?!?!?!?

Anyone? Beuler?

BTTT

[squirrel]

Yeah, the Rockstars wanna know about 49-54s!?!?!?!?!?!?

Anyone? Beuler?

BTTT

those cars use the B52 and B01 bearing, just like the truck....

[Steve]

the 55-57 ball bearing hubs can be replaced with the early-mid 60s full size car roller hubs.

I don't think you'll find a "normal" roller bearing to replace the B52 inner bearing on the old car hubs. At least I couldn't find any when I was looking for them for my trucks. But on the bright side the ball bearings work fine, I have several original New Departure bearings in my 50s trucks, so they've been going strong for 50 yrs. I know it's nice to upgrade, but lately I'm getting the hamb mentality of only upgrading stuff that really needs it. wheel bearings are not in that category.

not only is it nice, but those roller ball bearings can be damn expensive

[Slide]

If you take that COMPLETE bearing (inner and outters) to your local auto parts store (no NOT kragens) or a bearing place like Kanter, they can cross ref it for you and find the numbers if a few of them are missing.

If there is a decent bearing supply place around, you can usually take it to them to get a cross-reference. Just be sure to give them a call to make sure they carry automotive style bearings before you drove to the next town and find out thy only have industrial bearings.

I took the wheel bearings from Slide Jr's pedal car to a bearing place here in Dallas, and matched them up with some sealed berings rated for up to 14,000 RPMs! If you hit them at a time when they're not swamped, they'll usually work with you. If you have the spindles and/or hubs off the car anyways, bring them with you as well.

[flt-blk]

I took the wheel bearings from Slide Jr's pedal car to a bearing place here in Dallas, and matched them up with some sealed berings rated for up to 14,000 RPMs! If you hit them at a time when they're not swamped, they'll usually work with you. If you have the spindles and/or hubs off the car anyways, bring them with you as well.

Damn 14,000 RPM on a pedal car, that's one fast toddler.

[Slide]

He's only had it up to just shy of 9 grand, but that was all they had in stock! :rolleyes:

[OutLaw]

UPDATE.... I have gone to ever web site and all the places in town that deal with bearings and they all say that there is no roller bearing replacement to that size ball bearing. Guy at the last place said he has a 50 chevy and was pretty bummed when he researched it 6 months ago.

So everyone don't waste your time looking.

[Kustm52]

Here's another one...I tried to adapt the '61 hubs to the original spindles, but no bearing was available for the inner due to the odd size of the spindle...I guess on could have the spindle machined down to a standard size...

Brian

[overspray]

49 to 54 Chevy car and 53 to 62 Corvette use the same front end. I looked all over for a conversion--but no luck. I carry an extra set of bearings just like I did in my 55 chevy when I was a kid. When I made a left turn and heard that "crack-pop" sound I would just pull over and put in a fresh one, usually the left outer.

overspray

[The Shocker]

I dont mean to steal your thread ,but since everyone is on the subject of bearings, is there any advantage to switching to the '61 -'64 rearend in my '60 Chevy car ?I have already done the front bearing / hub thing.I have heard that the axle bearings in the '60 and under GM's are expensive and the seal and bearing are one assembly.Is this true with '61 - '64 also?

[rottenikken]

I dont mean to steal your thread ,but since everyone is on the subject of bearings, is there any advantage to switching to the '61 -'64 rearend in my '60 Chevy car ?I have already done the front bearing / hub thing.I have heard that the axle bearings in the '60 and under GM's are expensive and the seal and bearing are one assembly.Is this true with '61 - '64 also?1958 to 1964 Chev and 1958 to 1962 Corvette rear wheel bearings are the same RW-607NR bearing.....I have 20 or more new ones available....

[Torkwrench]

I dont mean to steal your thread ,but since everyone is on the subject of bearings, is there any advantage to switching to the '61 -'64 rearend in my '60 Chevy car ? Like Rottenikken said, the rear axels are the same from 59 - 64. However you can change the bearings to big Ford 9 inch bearings, but this requires custom made axel shafts and new axel housing ends. Moser makes new axel ends for 12 bolt Chevys, to replace the Chevy bearings and c - clips, with Ford bearings and axel retainers. The 12 bolt axels have the same bolt pattern for the backing plates as 55 -64 Chevy axels. So. you could use the Moser ends and Ford bearings and still use the 60 Chevy backing plates and drum brakes. But you would have to get custom axel shafts made. I did this with a 60 Pontiac axel to adapt 59 Chevy drums to the Pontiac ( could't find good Pontiac brake drums or backing plates). The Moser axel shafts were about $400 a pair. The cost of the whole job including axel ends, narrowing the Pontiac axel all machine work was about $750. However the stock 59 Chevy bearings were about $150 a side.:eek: Haven't done this on a Chevy axel yet, but it should work.