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Hub Bearing Debacle

Discussion in 'Flat Fender Tech' started by garage gnome, Dec 23, 2017.

  1. Dec 23, 2017
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
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    I bought new hub bearings for my spare tire project. I got new ones from Walcks and I took the races out of the hub I was going to use. I went to put the new races in, and they dropped right in. Odd... :confused: Then they fell right out. I compare the numbers on the bearings and they are different. I have another hub and I take those races out. Same as the ones that I got from Walcks. What gives? I am hoping someone here has insight as to why the hubs and differently shaped and use different bearings. One is scalloped and the other has smooth sections. The one with no wheel studs has the LM501349 bearings and the other one uses the 18890 bearings which is the ones I got from Walcks. Also, the wheel studs are different between the two.

    The 18890 bearings are thinner than the LM501349 bearings. I seem to think all the jeeps I have worked on had the bigger bearings.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Dec 23, 2017
  2. Dec 23, 2017
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
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    top hub is CJ2A, D25. The races should be the same. The bottom hub may be for a D30 disk? The D30 spindles are much larger on the inboard side so the bearings are thinner, but the races are the same or similar. You can also use them with the thicker bearings on drum spindles.

    The part numbers are different for the D25 and D30, but I have used them interchangeable with all the spindles, D25,D27 or D30 drum. Maybe I am doing it all wrong, but I never had trouble.
     
  3. Dec 23, 2017
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
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    Both hubs came from a closed knuckle axle from a wagoneer with 11" drums. I have another hub from a disk D30 and that has two different bearings...

    These hubs have the same bearings inside and out.
     
  4. Dec 23, 2017
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    The top one came off a D25.

    The disk D30 has different bearings for inner and outer because of the increased inner outside diameter of the spindle. In my experience the disk or drum hubs d25/27/30 all can use the same bearing races and be used interchangeably with all the spindles. The bearings and part numbers are different, but they work... at least they have for me. They all have the same O/D for the races.
     
  5. Dec 23, 2017
    melvinm

    melvinm Member

    Arvada Co. 80003
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    Jeep used 18520 / 18590 up until 1962 , than in 1963 want to LM501310 / LM501349

    These are Timken Numbers. Wheel Seals Changed at that time also.
     
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  6. Dec 23, 2017
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
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    I believe that the 25 and 27 hubs were not identical. I thought the 25 used different inner and bearings and the 27 used the same bearing inner and outer. I may be mistaken but, this is what I recall. I will check my bearing book. The back side of the hubs are different as well. The studs for the 25 stick out of the casting and are flush on the 27. Pics coming.


     
    Last edited: Dec 23, 2017
  7. Dec 23, 2017
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    You are probably right. I remember the D25 bearings being thinner. I am pretty sure I have made them all work together though. Doesn't mean its correct, just that I made them work.:shrug:
     
  8. Dec 23, 2017
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

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    I think you are correct and the ID is the same as the spindles are all interchangable. Not sure. Could be that the OD of the different size bearings are different and not the thickness.
     
  9. Dec 23, 2017
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

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    Ok bear with me......Bower bearing book says:

    Inner wheel bearing

    53-73 4WD cj3B, cj5, cj6 to serial number 89007..................#18590-18520
    62-74 ", ", ", ", after serial number 89007..................# LM501349-LM501310

    Outer wheel bearing

    46-53 4WD 2A, 3A............................................................18590-18520
    53-66 4WD 3B, cj5, cj6 to serial number 89007...................18590-18520
    62-74 4WD cj3B, cj5, cj6 after serial number 89007...............LM501349-LM501310

    So if I'm understanding this right, from 46 to somewhere around 53, the inner and outer bearings are the same 18590. Then from around 53 to 62(?) the inner and outer were different. Then, after 62, the were the same bearing, inner and outer, but different from the earlier ones.

    Again, AFAIK the spindles are all interchangeable so the difference has to be in either the thickness or the OD. The ID if the bearings must all be the same if the spindles are indeed all the same.


    Nate, I've never taken notice to some hubs not having the scallop in those 2 areas.
     
    Last edited: Dec 23, 2017
  10. Jan 6, 2018
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
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    You are correct. The difference is in the hearing hub. The casting is different inside the bore and the machining is different. The step the inner race seats against is in a different location. The ID of the bearings are the same as are the od of the races. You cannot machine an earlier hub to accept the larger/wider bearing assembly because there is not enough material to do so. I've explored this option pretty thoroughly. Iirc the scalloped hubs were used on WW2 vintage and shortly thereafter Jeeps until stocks ran out. Remember, anywhere they could save weight and material during WW2 they did.
     
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  11. Jan 6, 2018
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

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    Nick! :clap:
     
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