I've seen the thread about, some day, replacement roller bearings. I've seen complaints about current replacement bearings being inferior, Chinese made, short lived. I've seen the 'how-to' post about repacking, which may or may not extend the life of the original bearings. I drive the 88 GT about four thousand miles a year and would like to continue to do so. What should I do?
I've got about 180,000 miles on my 88 coupe and the original front wheel bearings are still just fine. Unless they are making noise don't worry about them.
If your current bearings are still good, you can simply do nothing....or repack them which will do no harm and MIGHT do some good....from your mileage requirements I would probably do nothing at all. If you simply 'must' do something, put Rodney's in...you are not racing so you need only street duty bearings and, so far as I recall, the only issue with his was a few folks who used them for racing.
The bearings in my '88 have 109,000 on them an show no signs that they need to be replaced (I put even fewer miles on mine than do you). I plan to wait until need, then use Rodneys.
Great news! Thank you both. I thought the front wheels would fall off at 81,000. Well, maybe I did not think exactly that, but when the odometer clicked over 80K I did become concerned. I suppose, when that day comes, I could put steerable skids on the front . . .
The bearings in my '88 have 109,000 on them an show no signs that they need to be replaced (I put even fewer miles on mine than do you). I plan to wait until need, then use Rodneys.
I don't have an 88, but for parts that are hard to find or "almost extinct" - I have them on my shelf NOW for when I will need them. The last thing you want is a part to be "no longer available" 2 years from now when you actually need it. I figure I can always resell the parts if I sell the car before I need them - especially if the part longer exists.
I have 230,000 miles on my (old) 88, and the original front bearings are still good. However, I have a couple of used OEM 88 front hubs in my garage, just in case. My "new" 88 has about 120,000 miles. Rodney Dickman has 88 front hubs with tapered roller bearings. I hear that they are better than other new replacement hubs, but still not as good as the original.
I had about 100k on mine when the passenger one started making noise, but I was lucky enough to still find a set of OEM a few years back. That being said I do have a set of Rodney's on the shelf 'just in case'.
I wouldn't worry about replacing them if they are still good - maybe try repacking them to help them live longer. Your call if you want to buy some spares now while you can.
[This message has been edited by Mickey_Moose (edited 07-17-2015).]
