I got to messing with my (right) rear wheel bearings, since they started to squeak a little.
I went through the archives and searched in this section to look for info, but all of them just said to remove and replace.
Looking at the Mazda parts catalog, they sell the "bearings" as a unit.

I managed to take the bearing itself apart, and it looks like they are rebuildable.
The hard part is that I trashed one of the oil seals, and Mazda does not list them separately.

The bearings are priced pretty reasonably (~$30 each), so I might be just wasting my time...

We're going to try and source the oil seals from a local shop.

Bad news is that this almost requires a hydraulic press to do properly.
Also, you'll need a snap ring pliers to take out the humungous snap ring.
limber85 has a great write-up with pics in the Archive section, but it's just a remove-n-reinstall affair.
Here's that thread: https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-gen-archive-72/brake-hub-job-finally-done-427035/

I'll try and do a write-up that goes down into breaking the bearing down itself.


-Ted

 

sw33t :P

 

Where do you find the rears for $30? I looked on mazdatrix just a day ago and it was like $73. I would like to change mine when i put all my suspension and lsd in. Thanks

 

No.
Wasting your time.

-Christian

 

I've never seen any replacement parts for the rear wheel bearings aside from the entire assembly. They're similar to front wheel bearings on FWD cars in that you just chuck them and buy a new assembly.

The cheapest replacements I could find were $35-40(ebay, Rock Auto, Advance). I broke a tip off a pair of snap ring pliers, so I ground the tips on a pair of needle nose.

 

Autozone has em for right around $30 a side.

I found them on eBay for $75...that was both bearings and both seals.

 

Honestly Ted,

I can't see rebuilding them even being worth the effort.

What happens if either race is worn? You have to source those babies out? Where can we even find tolerances for the races to know if they are good?

For the time it would take to put one together even if you had the parts right on a bench, you could buy a brand new already assembled/lubed drop in assembly.

Plus, anytime I've done the rear bearings, when you press out the rear "flange" you end up with one inner race stuck on the flange's shaft. And I sure as **** ding it up peeling it off of there.

I suppose it'd make an interesting project though.

 

that was such a Ted response

 

Here's another great write-up in the Archive section by nillahkaz...
https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-gen-archive-72/rear-wheel-bearing-write-up-326078/

It looks like the original bearings are serviceable, but most of the replacement bearings are sealed.
Good for mechanics cause it's less work / headache / thinking...

Old Timken part # is 225872.
New Timken part # is 510010.
Rock Auto has the later priced right under $40 per side (you need two for both rears).

Now, WHY do I want to service them myself?
I want to pack the bearings with GOOD grease, instead in rely on something I have no idea what's inside.
I'm going to either use Mobil1 or Redline CV-2.
IMO, these are some of the best greases you can get for these types of applications.
I don't trust stuff like Beck & Arnley, cause these are cheap-***, entry-level type of products.
I can also disassemble, inspect, and examine them at any time.
With a sealed bearing, you can't break it down easily to inspect the internals.

YES, it's easier to just remove and replace.
That's the advantage of using a sealed bearing.

I'm surprised at some of the responses in here.
FC owners are typically very cheap asses about their cars.
I'm trying to find a way to service your rears wheel bearings for the price of a tub of grease...
Go figure.


-Ted

 

What side bearing hub is bad? I have a parts car, but might need one hub....lmk, i'm located on leeward side

 

ted i understand i wish i could just pack the barrings myself. i am personly just used to it that way.