Hello guys, a friend of mine is looking to buy a new set Of wheel bearings for his 57 Pontiac. So far all he can come up with is kits that cost over $300. Does this sound right? Just trying to help him out and I know the knowledge is here thank you.
I believe 57 was still a roller bearing, I've read that the best upgrade is to use the hub, complete with bearings from a 63 /64 full size which used the taper bearings. It is supposed to be a direct bolt on , spindles are the same..
##. I've never done this myself...just what I read! ##
__________________
later...rog
AADD supporting member !!
I'm a collector...not a builder!!Located in sunny central Saskatchewan at the lakehead!
Correction, they are a ball bearing construction. The inner on my 57 was larger than on the Chev where as there outer bearing was the same. On the 57 Pontiac parts car the inner and outers matched my 57 Chev as I swapped the hubs and drums.
I have heard of the use of later model hubs but can't comment as I have no experience in that matter.
I purchased my bearings as per part number from Bearing & Transmission years ago. So I would try an industrial bearing house before chasing after a ""kit"".
I hope the original people don't mind, but to add further to what Loudpedal was aluding to about using later model hubs with tapered roller bearings, the hubs to use are from 61-68 full size chevys that had drum brakes. You could find some at a junkyard for not much money and the bearings for them are very inexpensive. Plus they are a vast improvement over the old ball bearings. Since your original hubs have large rivets holding the drum to the hubs, you grind the head of the rivets off and punch them loose and remove your original drum from its hub. The 61-68 hubs aren't riveted to their drums so they just come right apart. Slide your 57 drum on the later hub and it will then install like the original assembly did on your 57. No need to try to re-rivet.
__________________
later...rog
AADD supporting member !!
I'm a collector...not a builder!!Located in sunny central Saskatchewan at the lakehead!
I converted my present 57 Pontiac and a past 57 Chev with complete hubs off early 60's Chevy's. Roller bearings are a give away compared to the original junky ball bearings in cost. Please keep in mind that the torque specs, when adjusting the bearings are very different. The 57 bearing adjustment torque is 33 ft. lbs. with original ball bearings and with roller bearings it is 14 ft. lbs., if i remember correctly. To torque rollers to ball specs would lock it right up. Even for an "original" car nut like me, leaving those silly ball bearings in there is just goofy. Cheers. George.
__________________
1957 Pontiac Pathfinder Deluxe sedan restored 261 six
1974 Chevrolet Caprice Estate wagon low mileage original 400 V-8
....if you want I have NOS quality BCA # 909001 front outers for the 57 , not the chineese repop crap . Upgrading to the taper bearing is good , but I have never had a problem on my 58's all these years using the original ball bearing and my front is heavy with the 348 tripower, a/c , ps, pb , cast pg , and 14x7 cragars......check your pm saskyponcho.
