So I just installed my new rear wheel bearings, and then found the C-Clips on the bench.

Arghh!

So, what are the consequences of not having them?

It seems highly unlikely that the bearing is going to move.

 

Have you seen the bearing and hub assembly?

The C-Clip fits on the inside of the hub against the outer edge of the bearing.

 

Funny stuff can happen with vibration. I would put them in.

 

Pretty much thought so, just needed confirmation.
Ordering new bearings, again.
<grumble>

 

Just curious why you would have to get new bearings? aren't they already new? Should be able to push them out without damaging them

 

I installed new bearings for a customer many years ago that had the race area missing to clip the rings back in. I used red high temp locktite on the inside of the hub. It acted as a very pleasant "lubricant" to press the bearings back in and I'm sure they won't be going anywhere. He actually came by several months ago and I looked in to see if the race had worked its way anywhere and sure enough it's rock solid. The fact that you have the option to put the clips back in makes it a no brain-er. Its a real PITA but its the sure way to go.

 

My buddy did the same thing, yes it can split in two and make the bearing fail Prematurely. Here's what I did.
- I pressed the hubs back out , this will split the bearing in two. ( be careful the rollers will fallout and if you loose them your sunk)
- I slid the c-clips between the bearing and hub
- then made sure the rollers were in there races and applies a little grease to make sure they won't move. Tape the c-clip up to the bottom Of the hub.
- this part is where a friend with another pair of eyes helps. Slowly press the bearing and hub back together. Before you fully seat the hub and after its far enought in to hold the rollers rotate the hub. (This will make sence when you do it)
- last part is a p. I. T. A. The c-clip Reinstalled and it's ring. You will need a strong pair of 90* snap ring pliers.

Good luck

 

Great idea!

Wish I had seen it before removing everything, or better yet, thought of it myself.

Too late though, already removed the bearing from the spindle.

 

Yes, I got the bearings out in one piece.

The problem is getting the bearing off the of the spindle - that destroys the bearing by pulling out the inner race closest to the hub.

Too bad I didn't see the suggestion to sled the clip on top of the bearing and reseat.

 

From a design point of view, snap rings like that are redundant. The press fit of the bearing should support the entire load of the bearing in any direction.

Snap rings in this case are only intended to make a bearing failure go more gracefully by preventing a shifting inner race from coming off the axle. The reality is that for the snap ring to even perform any function the inner race of the bearing has to have slid off it's seated location. By that point things are pretty bad anyway.

 

That was what I thought initially as well.

But I will feel better about the whole job if I put the C-clips back in.

 

Thought about this again when not tired and stressed out.

This doesn't seem a good idea, as the inner race is being used to seat the bearing in the upright, as the only parts to apply pressure are the spindle and the back side of the upright.

 

I understand what your saying, I did not press directly on the hub in that manner I made a tool that pushed on the outside to seat it.

 

I would do the same thing. When I'm considering extra elements like a c-clip in my designs, the graceful failure consideration is often the deciding reason.

David

 

Got it.

While no doubt a useful exercise, I am just getting another set of bearings.

 

Best way to do it. Had it been my car I would of went with new ones as well

 

I did the same thing once on a customer's car. I was getting ready to put everything back together when I saw the clip . I ended up replacing the brand new bearing rather than try to re-use it to save myself money. I'd rather lose money than cut corners and risk the safety of others.