front wheel inner bearings "?"

[adida(r 944)]

i know the wheel bearing subject has been pounded a few times as i searched(3-pages deep), but the searching didnt answer one question i had in mind in reguards to the inner wheel bearings.

with the hub off the spindle and the inner bearing still in the hub, How much "FREE-PLAY" (in and out motion and twisting actoin like the CV joints) is there suppose to be?

reason for asking is becuase i can move mine in/out and around about a 1/2 inch from the inner bearing seal , this doesnt sound normal... shouldnt they be seated FIRMER in the hub and unable to move around like the outer bearings?

im in the process of doing a bearing replacement, dont have the new bearings to check to see if they do the same thing. nor do i have the inner bearings out so i cant check to see how bad they are... so i thought i'd ask the pro's on this one... BTW both inner bearings have this free-play so i have nothing to go on, and the left one seams to have more of a swivle action than the right.

[adrian jaye]

The best way for this is:

1> replace all bearings
2> follow instructions as to grease packing/lubrication/installation and toghtening up procedure
3> with wheel on, hole at 6oclock and quartertothree postions and rock it, no noticeable play should be apparent

4> check again after 250 miles or a week

[Stan944]

From what I remember, the outer races of both inner and outer front bearing were seated very tight in the hub, and I used a modified gear puller to take them out.
The bearing well in the hub may be worn out if I understand your question correctly. If this is the case, the best solution is to get a new hub (from a junk yard would probably do).
An alternative (cheap) would be a 'sleeve retainer' compound from a local parts store. I used it successfully on the rear-wheel bearing (checked it recently, i.e. 1/2 year later, and it still holds), but it may be very hard to remove later if you need to.

[adida(r 944)]

ok i got the inner bearing out and YUP its hashed. but the hub has no indication of wear, or that i can see after cleaning it up.

is there a way to check the hub for wear? Inside Diameter mic'ing? if so anyone have measurements to go by?

also if all else fails, would a hub from an 86' 944 work as a replacement?

thanks for your help.

[SoCal Driver]

83 through 86 hubs work for sure. Don't know about later. there is a good chance that the inner bearnings might have been replaced with the wrong size at one time.

See if a new bearing outer race fits poorly.

[adida(r 944)]

sweet... cuase my parts car 86' 944 has "good" hubs/bearings. as in good i mean looks hella lots better than the ones i got right now, so ill use them for the mean time, after i repack the bearings.

for experimentation purposses ill get some new inner bearings to check fitment on the 85/1 hubs...

thanks for the help guys

[Texas944]

87 and up, the hub is slightly larger in diameter, and the bearings themselves are slightly larger, too (know this because i thought i had an 87 model when i did my brakes, and i sold myself the wrong bearings - used to work at O'Reilly's but still look up my own parts).
You need the following sets:
front inner bearing set - A6 (BCA bearing and race) about $7.50
front outer bearing set - A2 (BCA bearing and race) about $6.29
front wheel seal - National 1012N about $5.00

dont forget to pack the bearings with grease. Your local parts house should be able to either use those part numbers or cross-reference them.

[SoCal Driver]

Be sure to use the inner races from the replacement hubs.

[adida(r 944)]

should this cover everything then? didnt see any races listed in pelicans cattalog so, or do these bearings come with races?

2 of K-059-065-00
Front Outer Wheel Bearing, 911 (1965-89), 914-6, 924S All, 944/944 Turbo thru 86


2 of K-059-098-00
Front Wheel Bearing, Inner, 924S All, 944/944 Turbo thru 86, 911/912 (1965-89), 914-6

2 of 477-405-641
Front Wheel Seal, (sold per each, 2 required per vehicle), 356C/356SC (1964-65), 911 (1965-89),912, 912E, 914-6, 924S/944/968 All, 928 all

2 of 113-501-277A
Rear Wheel Bearing, 944 thru 1/85, Outer


2 of 113-501-283
Rear Wheel Bearing, 944 thru 1/85, Inner

2 of 113-501-291B
O-Ring for Rear Wheel Bearing, 944 thru 1/85, Inner

4 of 113-501-315H
Rear Wheel Seal, 944 thru 1/85, Inner

[Zero10]

Oh dear. I just changed my front rotors today, and I noticed this huge amount of free play in the inner bearing as well. I presumed it was supposed to be like that, since the outer bearings were still in great shape, and both sides were about the same.