I'm in the process of rebuilding my rear suspension. I got the old rear wheel bearing out. I've let the bearing hubs soak in strong purple power solution to clean them up. Now that's I've tried installing new bearing they just fall right in. Almost it feels like they got a few thousands mm of play in the hub. I expected to have to press them in. I know they are held with huge c clips but is this normal?

 

That's pretty odd. I think you may have gotten the wrong wheel bearings then. Where did the wheel bearings come from? Were the old ones hard to knock out or did it not take much effort? If they came out easily i would think the hubs are no good but thats unlikely.

 

^ Got the number of the bearing?

 

Sounds like the wrong bearing. They should be pressed in and out. Very snug fit.

 

Old bearings were presses out like they are suppose to. The new ones are SKS bearings from Napa. I'm suspectings the strong caustic solution I soaked the hub carriers in for a day may have eaten away some material or the bearings are not sized right. They should be pressed in. I might just use panel bond and glue them in to remove the play.

 

Thats a terrible idea. IF the bearings are indeed the right ones i suggest you get another set of hubs.

 

I would not be surprised at all if the parts store has the wrong bearing in the catalog or pulled the wrong part with a similar number.

If it doesn't press fit in then you need to get the proper bearing. Using anything to take up the gap is absolutely the wrong way to do it. I doubt very much that anything you soaked it in ate the metal and if it did you should stop soaking parts in it.

 

try and see if the old bearing will slip in easy or not. if it doesnt, you prob got the wrong bearing

 

^This.

I can't speak specifically about RX7 rear wheel bearing but everyone that I've done has a press fit OR, press fit races (old school American, some old rear wheel f-drivers). I've replaced many front drive bearings front wheel bearings also, press fit pack, I think there is something wrong here.

 

Didn't think of that. I hope I can still find the old bearing. Thanks.

 

Just compare the sizes of the old bearings vs. the new bearings. They are probably the wrong size.

I have heard of guys getting the wrong sized rear wheel bearings.

I get Timken 510010 bearings for the rear wheels.

 

Number stamped on new bearing race?

 

Don't do this. at all.

+1

also, its nappa. say you got the wrong one and they need to give you the right one. SKS is a good brand but how often are those parts stores with the correct box and wrong part. I can't imagine you had that caustic of a solution to eat away at the aluminum overnight.