front wheel bearing 1955

[alzink]

My front wheel bearing has given up the ghost ! Wondering if anyone has a recommendation for a new one. After buying many aftermarket parts that failed....I'm hoping to avoid one more.

Thanks

Al

[TJ Hopland]

Are these tapper rollers or the older round ball design?   Its true that especially today parts are junk but if its the round ball style the setup is different than the tapper rollers that became standard by the 60's.

Have you checked the Cadillac vendors?  Are there any of those left?  I know we have lost a few the last few years.  They would be the ones that may have some older stock or would have more interest in finding decent quality stuff. 

[Big Fins]

See if you can get a part number off of the race or bearing cage and cross reference it here.

https://www.motion.com/products/Bearings

[PHIL WHYTE CLC 14192]

They are not roller bearings. I just took my 1954 ones to a bearing shop and they matched the numbers. Failing that I would try Terrill machine.
Phil

[Lexi]

Inner or outer front bearing assembly, or both, requiring replacement? My experience is that usually the outer set fails first. The old part number was #909025 for Cadillac front wheel outer bearings for 1941 - 1956; (for the cone, cup and retainer). I believe that in 1968 this part number changed to #909073 which resulted in the race being slightly different, (a little more shallow as I recall), but still works for your car. I have used both. This # I based on an old bearing guide, (which I no longer have access to). But...the good news is that I just acquired a 1968 Cadillac MPL and that replacement bearing #909073 is indeed listed for 1941 - 1956 Cads, (outer). These are ball bearing loaded assemblies. NOS sets still show up on Ebay if you have the time to search and wait.

I got to re-pack mine soon, based on time & mileage. As Phil Whyte pointed out years ago, adjusting them is a "dark art". So I will be crossing myself, lighting some candles, and invoking his name at the outset of this service job. LOL. Clay/Lexi

P.S.  The inner set was a different part number and does NOT match the outer set.

[dn010]

I've had good luck taking the original part numbers to ebay and finding NOS bearings for sale. In fact, there is a NOS Federal Ball Bearing 909025 on ebay right now. From that listing, it shows a B25 bearing is a cross reference number you could also search.

I find this is better than the new made stuff that may or may not work, or may or may not immediately fail!

[Lexi]

Yes, my notes state that B25 is a Timkin number that cross references to those previously noted bearing part numbers. It would appear to be another bearing that can be used, but cannot guarantee at this point. Best to further cross reference. Clay/Lexi

[tcom2027]

You can buy them by bearing number. A decent bearing shop can cross your ball type
 if that's what you have to tapered roller bearings.

I would avoid the Auto Zones and Kragens of the world along with Amazon unless they stock Timken, SKF, Bower, or Federal Mogul branded bearings.

tony

[alzink]

Thanks all
he bearings are ball bearings not tapered... I'm assuming they cannot be substituted.I'll work on the numbers stamped on the bearings themselves. Sources like Caddy Daddy do list them for $300 which is worst case....even  then I'm worried that they might be aftermarket crap

[tcom2027]

Bearings can be ID'ed by the number stamped on them. The numbers are industry standard. GM used New Departure and Timken during the forties and fifties.

Get the numbers off your bearings and races then contact a bearing supply and see if they stock the bearing you have by number, THey are a simple caged ball bearing, possibly tapered now, nothing remarkable. . 

I believe the '55 cadillacs used # 9067/9196 for the outers. Try and find them online using that number. They measure .750"x 1.963"x.835".

Fusig Bearing has the inners for $95 each. No idea country of origin.

[Warren Rauch #4286]

  Mostly from  1959 Hollander manual

  Cadillac 1941-56

  Inner                                                          Complete   Cup     Cone       Balls/retainer
     New Departure,BCA,Norma,McGill,SKF,    909062 909662    909562     909762
      Federal                                FO 62
      FaFnir                                 10062
  Outer
     New Departure,BCA,Norma,McGill,SKF    909025  909625    909525      909725
      Federal                               FO 25
      FaFnir                                10025

Note:  909645 fits 909625 ,909745 fits 909725  but 909045 Complete has a different cone from 909025
       Cadillac uses New Departure Numbers
       Many  GMC/ Chevrolet 3/4 to 1 1/2 ton  up to 1952 use same outer bearings

Warren

[Jeff Rosansky CLC #28373]

I'm curious what failed on them. Our 55 is my 1st experience with ball bearings.
When you have a moment, please let us know how it failed, and post a couple of pictures.
Thanks

[tcom2027]

Yep, that's what I found in my earlier Hollander. I stopped at the New Departure and Bower numbers. I was going to post them, but Warren beat me to it.  The 90 indicates a single row deep groove ball bearing in Bower (IIRC it's now NTN/Bower and New Departure. THe other numbers, dimensions. Along with Hollander every bearing house has access to cross referencing data.

Simplest thing for the OP to do is take the bearings to a dedicated bearing house and have them crossed with a modern bearing. THey can measure and  cross by dimension if necessary. Caddy Daddy and other venders get them somewhere. 

tony

[Warren Rauch #4286]

 These are not $300 bearings. Try ebay. $30-50 for NOS. Just search  909025 and 909062. They may be even cheaper at a bearing company. Be sure they are the same. I needed  the needle bearings for a 3975 king pin. What they were selling was the right number,but had a nylon retainer and only every other needle. It took a while ,but I found NOS. Warren

[Lexi]

I'm curious what failed on them. Our 55 is my 1st experience with ball bearings.
When you have a moment, please let us know how it failed, and post a couple of pictures.
Thanks

Ditto Jeff's comments. Also, Jeff I responded to your PM. Lately, as with others, I have not been receiving alerts, so you may wish to check your "in box". Clay/Lexi

[PHIL WHYTE CLC 14192]

I'm curious what failed on them. Our 55 is my 1st experience with ball bearings.
When you have a moment, please let us know how it failed, and post a couple of pictures.
Thanks

Me too. To be honest I've  seen a few posts over the years about the cage ball wheel bearings failing. My gut feeling it is most likely bad adjustment (too much play or too tight) and or incorrect lubrication. Sub standard modern cheapo bearings could also be to blame.

[alzink]

Thank you all
I ended getting them on EBAY
225 for two wheels and 40 for the seals
The car has 100 k on it so not too bad
Warren, thanks in particular for your complete advice and numbers!!!!

[Lexi]

You can probably save your grease seals by carefully knocking them out, (not prying), when you pull the drum. If they are not leaking, at least save them for a potential future use. Clay/Lexi