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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / MACS rear hub bearings quality

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Posted By Discussion Topic: MACS rear hub bearings quality -- page: 1 2 3     parrish 10-27-2010 @ 7:56 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 349 Joined: Oct 2009 I just took delivery of a 39 rear hub bearing (2.84 OD) from MACS and it was made in Denmark. That doesn't bother me as much as the roller bearings are not shiny, but have an almost silvery satin finish to them? Anyone have concerns about this other than me. Shouldn't the surface be smooth and shiny like the originals? 37 Coupe 10-28-2010 @ 5:48 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 366 Joined: Oct 2009 They might be okay but on every on Ford I have rebuilt or restored I have always searched for either NOS Genuine roller bearings or inspected and used good used ones. This is one area I have always wanted to make sure the rollers are compatible,not to soft or not to hard to damage the bearing surface on axle housings and to me the only way this is possible is what Ford engineering came up with over 70 years ago. Mayby they are getting harder to find now but seems I always found more good ones than bad used ones when removing from hubs. parrish 10-28-2010 @ 7:44 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 349 Joined: Oct 2009 Well, maybe I'm being a little too cautious because the originals aren't severely pitted, but just have some dark discoloration here and there. However, they ARE smooth and shiny and the MACS replacement has a dull satin look to it, so I'm hesitant to use it. I only bought it to be on the safe side and I don't feel so safe about it... supereal 10-28-2010 @ 8:53 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 6819 Joined: Oct 2009 Frankly, after sending back defective points, we don't order from Mac's. I hesitate to condemn any supplier but, that said, I find that not knowing, or seeming to care, about quality just doesn't add up. The very best rear hub bearings are still the Ford "script" type. We have seen some very ugly axle housings, but the bearings were not ruined. Good hardening should result in a uniform coloration and surface texture. A "matte" finish would seem to indicate a rougher than normal quality. bo8109b 10-28-2010 @ 9:32 AM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 179 Joined: Nov 2009 Just took delivery on rear hub bearings for my '48 coming from C&G. Cost more than MACS but their shiny like the original Ford's and they state on the packaging that they're hardened. 37 Coupe 10-28-2010 @ 9:49 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 366 Joined: Oct 2009 A few years ago the issue on the non original Ford script rear hub bearings was the failure of the caged ends and these were USA made. Although I am not a Dick Flynn fan he has written about this many times in last 10-15 years of V8 Times,or editor reprints his stories. At the time I figured he was just sticking up for Amsoil bearing grease but I think he was right in suggesting Ford bearings even used ones. kubes40 10-28-2010 @ 10:59 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 3577 Joined: Oct 2009 There is no substitute for Ford (OEM) bearings in this application. The reproduction bearings did in fact have soft cages which after only minimum use would fail and cause all sorts of havoc. I've seen that personally. NOT something you want to happen! I suggest strongly you send the repops back and find a good set of Ford bearings. NOS are difficult to locate. However very good - used bearings can be found. supereal 10-28-2010 @ 1:45 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 6819 Joined: Oct 2009 Dick Flynn also touted synthetic grease for the rear hubs, which was dead wrong. The only grease that will protect the bearings and housings is the sticky, yellow fibrous type called "drum brake grease". The fibers allow the grease to be pulled through the Hyatt roller bearings. We found that the synthetic grease caused a rapid disintegration of the housing surfaces because it is intended for close tolerance applications, and will turn gray from metal particles in a short time. Over the years, I've disputed some of Flynn's advice. His latest article in the Sept/Oct issue of the V8 TIMES regarding water pumps says the "advertised water pumps" are not needed, as "we have too much water movement with the stock pumps". That sounds too much like the old myth about the coolant being circulated "too fast to be cooled". That supposition died a long time ago. kubes40 10-28-2010 @ 2:47 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 3577 Joined: Oct 2009 Super, I don't always agree with you but DO always read your advice with close attention. I have learned some things form you and for that, THANKS! In your previous response I agree 100% that 'brake grease' is the only grease for those rear bearings. I wonder how many guys have ever heard of 'brake grease'? The water pump thing... well, I will agree in part. At least to admit that there is more than one way to get the desired results in any given situation. However, having had taken a number of courses in physics as well as thermal dynamics (rating very high in the classes)I can tell you that moving more water is counter-productive in the scenario we old Flathead guys are applying the rules to. The bottom line is with a CORRECTLY setup vehicle, IE clean block, radiator, proper operating (zero pressure) radiator cap, proper operating thermostats, water pumps, correctly timed ignition and properly tuned carburetor, the old Flathead will cool just fine with stock pumps. 37RAGTOPMAN 10-28-2010 @ 4:06 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1992 Joined: Oct 2009 if the bearing are made in DENMARK , I am sure they are ok, but like everybody says, you cannot go wrong with FORD BEARING, even good FORD used ones are better then some of the NEW CHINA. What about the water pumps.,made in CHINA, I wonder down the road some of them might break,and that is not good, I have 2 SKIPS pumps. installed last spring and no problems. as for the AMSOIL BEARING GREASE it is a NO NO, I repacked bearing on VW RABBITS, and had problems [ this was back in the 1990's] with the bearing, thought , I was doing something wrong but have done hundreds of them with other grease with no problems, my 3 cents worth 37RAGTOPMAN an KEEP on FORDIN,,,!!!

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