Wheel Bearing Project--Is this right?

[Swoboda]

Hello,

I'm replacing my front wheel bearings and just removed everything from one side. It was very straightforward, but...

There is what appears to be a bearing/race still on the spindle/at the base of the spindle (please see picture).

I've seen other posts about this but it wasn't clear if this is part of the replacement process or if it's simply left on the spindle (assuming it's not messed up in some way).

Do I remove this, too? Is this something that should be replaced?

Any advice, please?

(Sorry the picture is oriented incorrectly....)

[equality72521]

Yes, you need to replace it. It is the inner bearing race. See that black line in the middle where the bearings were riding? The races are matched to the bearings. Use a MAP gas torch to heat it up and it will slide right off.

[Jcslocum]

Can you post a pic of the inner bearing that you took out?

[Scott R]

Lucky you! That's one less race to press out.

[pete3799]

I believe they call it a spacer ring.
There is an O ring under it and the wheel seal seals against it.
No need to remove it unless the sealing area is damaged.
It's not part of the bearing.

[Hodgey]

Originally Posted by pete3799

I believe they call it a spacer ring.
There is an O ring under it and the wheel seal seals against it.
No need to remove it unless the sealing area is damaged.
It's not part of the bearing.

Wot he said^^^^^^^^^^^

[Swoboda]

How would I know if the spacer ring is damaged?

It seems fine....but I have no experience with this at all--this is my first real 911 project.

The picture above shows it's condition. Is that black ring normal? It feels smooth, and I haven't done much to clean it yet.

Thanks.

[Tidybuoy]

It's a little hard for me to tell "exactly" what part we are looking at in your photo. It would be easier for me if I saw the other parts that you have removed.

On the base of the spindle shaft, there is a part called a spacer ring #901.341.623.00 which is pressed onto the spindle. This part basically is a stop for the bearing so that it won't slide any further. This part is usually only replaced if there is visable wear or nicks. When I look at your photo, it almost looks like the spacer ring is at the very base of the spindle with the bearing race sitting on top of it. SO, the best way to know for sure is...what has been removed from the car (a process of elimination will work here).

Also, check the PET Catalog. http://www.porsche.com/all/media/pdf/originalparts/en/E_911_77_KATALOG.pdf

I looked up for my car which is a 1974 but the bearings are the same thru '89. Look in the catalog for page 143 and you will see the whole schematic of the strut and bearings (including the Spacer Ring).

All that said, if this part is the Spacer Ring and not the bearing race, then it is most likely ok unless you see obvious wear as this part is only a stopper for the bearing to rest on.

Hope this makes sense and helps a little.

Vern

[Craig_D]

You should replace it. This is the bearing spacer. It's not pressed into the hub bearing, but is pressed onto the spindle. See thread HERE.'78 SC Elephant Racing Suspension Rebuild

[Tidybuoy]

The more I look at your photo, I will have to agree with post #2. That looks like the bearing race sitting on top of the Spacer Ring. The spacer ring is pressed onto the spindle and the beaing race should pull off.

[Tidybuoy]

Originally Posted by Craig_D

You should replace it. This is the bearing spacer. It's not pressed into the hub bearing, but is pressed onto the spindle. See thread HERE.'78 SC Elephant Racing Suspension Rebuild

You are correct and I stand corrected; I revised my post. I was confusing my 944 bearings with the 911.

[Tidybuoy]

Originally Posted by Swoboda

Is that black ring normal? It feels smooth, and I haven't done much to clean it yet.

Thanks.

Is that black ring a mark or a seam where two parts are meeting up. This is why your photo appears to be two parts (the spacer ring + bearing race) seperated by that black ring.

[Swoboda]

Good idea. I'll clean up and count the parts to find what's left over.

I'll be back!

Thanks.

[19-911-65]

My '66 has the same/similar. The wheel hub bearing buts up against the spacer that you are speaking of. The grease/oil seal seats around the spacer (hence the black line). I removed one of the spacers and it did not have an o-ring behind it, nor did I see any indent to receive one so I put it back on.

The strut was removed when I remover the spacer. I doubt if it is worn around the diameter of the spacer...it is only a contact seat for the seal. I cleaned mine (after making sure there were no nicks) with brake cleaner and re-installed the hub.

Glenn

[Eric_Shea]

Originally Posted by equality72521

Yes, you need to replace it. It is the inner bearing race. See that black line in the middle where the bearings were riding? The races are matched to the bearings. Use a MAP gas torch to heat it up and it will slide right off.

That is incorrect. The piece I see on your spindle is meant to stay there and mates to the wheel seal when you reinstall the hub.

It does not need to be replaced in 99.9% of the applications.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by 19-911-65

I removed one of the spacers and it did not have an o-ring behind it, nor did I see any indent to receive one

I've often wondered about this. I've not pulled a spacer off in a while but I can't see any place where an o-ring would do any good when the spacer is installed onto the hub. Anybody ever see this o-ring?

JR

[Walt Fricke]

The O ring is behind the spacer piece, and you can't see it unless you remove the spacer. I guess it is there to stop any grease from migrating along the spindle and through the joint where the spacer is, to the backside of the spacer, and then out. Not going to happen. The only reason (other than curiosity, or because you are throwing away a strut and want to keep parts) to pull the spacer off is if its circumferential surface is badly worn. The grease seal's lips slide on that surface, so it needs to be smooth for the seal to work. The O ring will be fine, and even if it has been cooked by great braking heat, most of it will still be there doing a job which doesn't really need doing. Leave it alone unless you like futzing for futzing's sake (how do you suppose I know about any of this?).

But it is not a particularly exposed piece, and is unlikely to get damaged enough to warrant replacement.

You should be able to tell very easily by comparing your new inner bearing and seal with the parts you have removed if you have all the bearing bits out. When you examine your new bearing you will see that it does not look anything like what is in your photo.

The black line most likely is where your seal's lips were. I'd try to clean it up. Compare its location with your old seal. Examine the old seal. Chances are all is well.

[Swoboda]

Originally Posted by Jcslocum

Can you post a pic of the inner bearing that you took out?

Here's a photo of the inner bearing upon removal.

[Swoboda]

Thanks for all the feedback. After comparing parts and cleaning up, it is the spacer that's on the spindle.

It seems to be in good shape and it has cleaned up well.

Also, here are some pictures of the inner and outer races in the hub. The next step is to heat the hub and carefully tap them out (I don't have a press).

Inner race in hub:


Outer race in hub:

[19-911-65]

Swoboda: I just completed this same project over the last two days. If you like, PM or email your telephone number, and I will be happy to call you and share what information I have.

Glenn