First year for roller bearings on front hubs

[Cadman-iac]

  Can someone tell me what was the first year that Cadillac used a roller bearing for the front wheels?

I'm still trying to figure out how to use rollers for my 56, and I think I've figured out something that might work. It'll take some machine work for a spacer/seal surface though.
Gotta locate a shop that can do what I have in mind.

Thanks in advance,

Rick

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

1960.

Bruce.

[Cadman-iac]

 Ok, thanks Bruce.

[Cadman-iac]

So next question. Were the hubs and drums the same from 1960 to 1967, or '68?
And were the bearings the same for all these years?
  My MPL doesn't cover that far back.

Thanks.

[Roger Zimmermann]

The inner wheel bearing were used for a long time: #7450700 from 1960 till 1976 and 81 for the D and Z series, of course not on Eldo models.
Outer bearing: #7450697 same range, except Eldo and Seville models.
1960 had a specific part number for the drum and hub; 1961 to 1968 are all the same, except cars with front disc brakes.
I have the impression that the work required for the bearing change is exaggerated.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Don't forget that the 1960 model had self-adjusting brakes, and therefore the adjusting of the brake shoes, including the ability to release the adjusting lever from the adjusting screw became a necessity.

Bruce.

[J. Gomez]

Rick,

I recall from a few years back there was a post (maybe still is ) a member from Europe (Germany ) of a place also in Europe that had a conversion kit to transplant the older ball style to the new roller style front bearings.

Going from memory for the rear they had a spacer or a hub () to add for the clearance on the new bearing while the front one did not, the bearings look to be off the shelf ones.

Sorry I do not have a link or recall the member to do a search, maybe someone here with more memory capacity can chime in on this subject.

[Cadman-iac]

  My sincerest thanks to each of you who have replied here.
I've been trying to figure out how wide the range of years of parts are that would be compatible with the 54-56 and probably earlier years as well.
I have a 63 parts car that I've been using as I try to figure out if it's possible to convert my 56 ball bearing hubs to the later roller bearing hubs.
It appears that it's possible, both types have the same size spindle shafts so the bearings will fit from one to the other. The wheel seals also have the same inner diameter, so the only issue is in how to create a sealing surface for the seal itself which will also act as a spacer for the inner bearing.
The original inner ball bearing uses an inner race with an extended portion that does both jobs, it acts as a spacer and the sealing surface for the wheel seal.
My plan is to take one of these inner ball bearing races and either have it machined down to the size I need as the spacer, or have a completely new piece made as such.
The hope is that a shop will be willing to try this, and that it's possible to use the original race as it's hard enough that it won't wear prematurely as a softer metal might.
If this costs me even up to $400 it's still less than what a set of new ball bearings would be.
And if it works, I'm having an extra set made just as backups, because I don't like not having spare parts around.
So wish me luck, and I'll keep you posted on the progress.

Rick

Edit: I was telling Clay about this yesterday, and I know that there are some companies that sell disc brake conversions that use a spacer, and others that have specially made rotors to fit the 54 and 55 Cadillacs. For some unknown reason they don't list the 56, and I believe it's simply because of how GM designed the master cylinder and booster and where it was placed. I have both a 55 and a 56, and the only difference between them as far as the suspension is concerned is in how the shock mounts on the lower control arm. The 56 brake master cylinder is a one year only design with a 3 foot (or more) linkage between the brake pedal and the booster.
However these companies are not willing to sell the spacers or to divulge the year/fitment of rotor used on their kits.
So my plan is to make this information available to any and all who wish to know  once I have it figured out.