Re: 1951 wheel bearing

Posted by Fish'n Jim On 2022/9/21 10:00:25

I have to surmise that it was sitting for a while as the onset of a grinding noise without some degree of failure is not likely.
Probably time for a bit of old fashion rolling stock maintenance, pull the wheel bearings, inspect the brakes, and lube the chassis, etc. What we keep records for. Instead of going by mileage for maintenance, go by "years/months" when cars sit a long time before we take them out.
We tend to forget that lubricants break down over time and may not be providing their function properly.
In order for a wheel bearing to "grind" all the grease would have to be gone and the balls on dry races. You'd also hear that when the tire was off. A hung brake pad or worn pad that's loose and rubbing. Hand brake stuck, etc.
There's a common mystique with classics that they need to be "original" and as factory, and regular maintenance is neglected. I hear this all the time on other brand sites, too. One guy was wanting to preserve a worn out factory wheel cylinder which he could buy new???? There's a disconnect there.