Wheel Bearing installation orientation

In this article, you have the orange side out and the brown side down, does this matter?

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This post was auto-generated based upon a question asked on our tech article page here: Pelican Technical Article: Boxster Wheel Bearing Replacement - 986 / 987

[Wayne 962]

When researching this article for the 101 Projects book, we performed the replacement at Callas Rennsport and we came across this question. In the old days, it used to matter which way the bearing was installed (the lighter orange seal used to go to the inside of the bearing). But these days, it doesn't matter, and some of the bearings don't even come with different colored seals on them. We contacted the manufacturer just to confirm that the orientation no longer matters. This is what Tony Callas of Callas Rennsport has been teaching for the past several years in his master mechanic classes.

Now, on the newer cars that have integrated ABS sensor wheels into the bearing (2005 987 and later), you need to make sure that the sensor side goes next to the sensor itself. You need a special $15 magnetic tool to "see" through the seal and figure out that the sensor "wheel" is there. But these early 986 and 996 cars don't have them (only the really newer cars - I'm not sure of the exact start date). I do not think that the color of the seal is a reliable indicator of the orientation of the bearing. At least that has been my experience in the past.

- Wayne

[Wayne 962]

Here's the tool I'm referring to:

The new active wheel speed sensors work with magnetic sensor wheels, which are integrated in the rubber sealing ring of the wheel bearing. For this, the rubber is enriched with iron dust and then given magnetic fields which are highly sensitive. It is not possible the check the magnetic sensor wheels visually. Before a new wheel bearing is installed, it is therefore absolutely necessary that the wheels be checked. The part could be faulty, and the direction of installation must be determined. But when checking errors in the ABS it may also be necessary in the case of sensor errors to check the magnetic sensor wheels. With the ATE test card for magnetic sensor wheels, these tests can be carried out reliably, easily and inexpensively. The magnetic fields of the sensor wheel are shown visually in the display window of the ATE test card, making it possible to check them. The ATE test card for magnetic sensor wheels comes with an integrated protective case. Benefits: Fast, simple and inexpensive. Scope of supply: Test card with integrated protective case, with brief operating instructions.

[Wayne 962]

It's ATE part number 760130, we sell it for about $15. I'll have Scott post a link to the catalog.

-Wayne

[Scott at Pelican Parts]

You can find the tool Wayne mentions here in the Pelican catalog.