Rear Wheel Bearings, OE vs Aftermarket Options

[Downunderman]

When I replaced both rear wheel bearings with new ones (the SMR brand) my porsche mechanic fitted them. Drove it home and discovered about 3mm play at the tyre. Checked everything in the suspension and couldn't find anything wrong. Went back to the mechanics and took the bearing out, measured cleaned and checked everything and put it back in. It still had play, so after about 3 hours of fuching about with this we concluded that it was the bearing.

Replaced the bearing with SKF, and problem fixed. So then we replaced the other side. It took about a day to sort this out. I still have the bearing and its brand new in the box.

[John]

Avoid SNR nade in France. They have quality issues - wont lock up properly. SKF are good.

I can vouch for this.

I had one just today that was found to be JUNK. Unfortunately, I have another one new in the box. I have one on order from my FLAPS that will be here in 2 hours. I'm tempted to get it and check the manufacturer and use it instead of the SNR that I have. The SNR has only been installed less than 1 year (track only) and has only seen 5 or 6 events. The other side (unknown brand) has been in there for a couple seasons and still is nice and tight. (I probably just jinxed it).

Anyone have ideas who provides the BEST rear wheel bearing for our application?

FAG?

Early rear wheel bearing failure can virtually always be traced to faulty installation techniques. The procedures are specific and critical. ANY impact on the races can, and will, cause brinnelling of the races, and failure inevitably follows within a short time. The bearing has to be pressed into the housing, and the hub has to be pressed into the bearing, and you MUST support the inner races while it's being installed. You tap on that hub to get it started, the bearing's a goner. Even whacking on the stub axle to seat it can cause a problem ....... The Cap'n

Gee, thanks for that wonderful accusation, but alas, that is/was not the problem.

[Cap'n Krusty]

Avoid SNR nade in France. They have quality issues - wont lock up properly. SKF are good.

I can vouch for this.

I had one just today that was found to be JUNK. Unfortunately, I have another one new in the box. I have one on order from my FLAPS that will be here in 2 hours. I'm tempted to get it and check the manufacturer and use it instead of the SNR that I have. The SNR has only been installed less than 1 year (track only) and has only seen 5 or 6 events. The other side (unknown brand) has been in there for a couple seasons and still is nice and tight. (I probably just jinxed it).

Anyone have ideas who provides the BEST rear wheel bearing for our application?

FAG?

Early rear wheel bearing failure can virtually always be traced to faulty installation techniques. The procedures are specific and critical. ANY impact on the races can, and will, cause brinnelling of the races, and failure inevitably follows within a short time. The bearing has to be pressed into the housing, and the hub has to be pressed into the bearing, and you MUST support the inner races while it's being installed. You tap on that hub to get it started, the bearing's a goner. Even whacking on the stub axle to seat it can cause a problem ....... The Cap'n

Gee, thanks for that wonderful accusation, but alas, that is/was not the problem.

Oh? Not really an accusation, rather a statement of fact based on close to 35 years experience working on 911s, 914s and other cars with similar wheel bearings. Care to elaborate? Axle nut loose? Hub worn? Not many other reasons for early failure. The Cap'n

[John]

Avoid SNR nade in France. They have quality issues - wont lock up properly. SKF are good.

I can vouch for this.

I had one just today that was found to be JUNK. Unfortunately, I have another one new in the box. I have one on order from my FLAPS that will be here in 2 hours. I'm tempted to get it and check the manufacturer and use it instead of the SNR that I have. The SNR has only been installed less than 1 year (track only) and has only seen 5 or 6 events. The other side (unknown brand) has been in there for a couple seasons and still is nice and tight. (I probably just jinxed it).

Anyone have ideas who provides the BEST rear wheel bearing for our application?

FAG?

Early rear wheel bearing failure can virtually always be traced to faulty installation techniques. The procedures are specific and critical. ANY impact on the races can, and will, cause brinnelling of the races, and failure inevitably follows within a short time. The bearing has to be pressed into the housing, and the hub has to be pressed into the bearing, and you MUST support the inner races while it's being installed. You tap on that hub to get it started, the bearing's a goner. Even whacking on the stub axle to seat it can cause a problem ....... The Cap'n

Gee, thanks for that wonderful accusation, but alas, that is/was not the problem.

Oh? Not really an accusation, rather a statement of fact based on close to 35 years experience working on 911s, 914s and other cars with similar wheel bearings. Care to elaborate? Axle nut loose? Hub worn? Not many other reasons for early failure. The Cap'n

No, I won't get in a pissing match with Krusty the Clown. No, No, and there are a multitude of reasons for potential early failure.

[Cap'n Krusty]

Gee, thanks for that wonderful accusation, but alas, that is/was not the problem.
[/quote]

Oh? Not really an accusation, rather a statement of fact based on close to 35 years experience working on 911s, 914s and other cars with similar wheel bearings. Care to elaborate? Axle nut loose? Hub worn? Not many other reasons for early failure. The Cap'n
[/quote]

No, I won't get in a pissing match with Krusty the Clown. No, No, and there are a multitude of reasons for potential early failure.
[/quote]

Off the top of my head, other than immersion, I think I've listed them all. The Cap'n