Date:         Sun, 14 May 2017 13:38:59 +0000
Reply-To:     Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: wheel bearings
Comments: To: Eric Wunrow <VW@ERICWUNROW.COM>, Dan N <dn92610@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <17B4C725-4362-4C1B-A156-5ABDFC995E04@EricWunrow.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

The front and rear wheel bearings are of drastically different designs, even for the Syncro. The front wheel bearings on the Syncro is a common one piece cartridge design common to front drive vehicles. However it is still a dual ball bearing assembly as compared to many other using dual roller assemblies. It is a short assembly so all side-steering forces place large dynamic loads on the bearings. These bearings also get subjected to a lot of brake heat. The usual cause of these bearing failing though is the limited amount of grease eventually dries up or disappears and then the bearing fails. From experience typical life of these assemblies is usually somewhere around 60-80K.  New cars seem to have gotten these to get past 100K. 

For the rear bearing, you have two separate bearings and they are spread a part. The inner is a ball bearing which sees some of the weight but really has the job of controlling thrust. The outer bearing is a straight roller design and it carries most of the weight. There is also a reserve of grease between the two. With some cheating they ca be lubricated in place. Typical life for these is 150+K, easy. 

Dennis



-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Eric Wunrow
Sent: Saturday, May 13, 2017 9:43 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: wheel bearings

Hi, Dan:

It's my understanding as well that rears outlast fronts by a ton.

Presumably as there's no steering stresses.

   Eric
   Eric Wunrow Pictures
   303. 988. 8717

   VW@EricWunrow.com (for this list's emails)
   EW@EricWunrow.com (for private messages)



On Apr 12, 2017, at 10:54 AM, Dan N <dn92610@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> hi all,
>
> is it correct to assume or is there a reason to think that the Front 
> wheel bearings and Rear wheel bearings wear at the same rate? meaning 
> that do we have to replace front and rear at the same time?
>
> the mechanic replaced the front bearings ('89 tintop Syncro) not long 
> ago and he said that the rear wheel bearings are fine so he left them alone...
> should I have the rear replaced too (cost to replace the rear is 
> higher than the front)
>
> thanks a lot
>
> dan
>