Wheel Bearings Taper Roller or Ball

[Flat54]

There was discussion some time ago about running ball bearings instead of taper roller bearing in full floating hubs to reduce friction and to alleviate concern about taper roller bearings degreasing at speed. Can some one advise on what sort of wheel speed would be a concern and also would the bearings be angular contact ball bearings or just deep groove. I have the opportunity to get a set of hubs at a decent price that have some cosmetic blemishes but could only fit taper rollers 50x80x20 or could go 50x80x16 ball bearing no angular contact available in 50x80.
Thanks
Grant

[wobblywalrus]

The technical sales rep for a reputable bearing manufacturer is a good bet.

[Rex Schimmer]

You probably will not find a ball bearing that is a direct replacement for a tapered roller bearing but there are certainly a number of good quality angular contact ball bearings with 50 mm bores. You can get angular contact ball bearings in matched sets such that if you design your installation correctly , which usually requires that both the outer and inter spacers for the bearing have to be the same length dimension, you can then tighten the retaining nut up to its' seating torque and you will get the proper preload on the bearings. You can do this with tapered also but if you are as little as a thou (.001 inch) tight you can kill the bearings so you really want them at least .001 loose. Angular contact balls are a little more forgiving. As WW said a good manufactures rep will be a big help.

Rex

[Flat54]

Thanks Rex and WW appreciate the advice. Those good reps are hard to find especially if you are looking at a none standard application and recomendations. I don't know what happened when I did the initial search which didn't turn up any 50 x 80 angular contact bearings but last night found some, will pursue that today.
Thanks
Grant