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MG TD TF 1500 - Rear wheel bearings

Hi,
Is there any good reason why I should not replace my rear wheel bearings on my TF1500 with sealed bearings to avoid the chance of oil leaks. Have just rebuilt the diff with a 4.3/1 CWP and while it is out I might as well do the wheel bearings. If I use sealed bearings would I need the oil seal as well?
Ta
Paul
New Zealand
P Hicks

I've read on here and / or the other forum that sealed bearings have been used successfully. Sometimes they remove the inward facing seal, which seems the best overall solution to me. I woukd also fit the separate outer oil seal (belt and braces).
Dave H
Dave Hill

If you run sealed bearings the inner seal still needs to be in place
The sealed bearings aren't completely sealed, they are more dust seals and stop the grease from escaping the bearings
If you remove the inner seals or if they are leaking oil, the oil gets through the sealed bearings and dilutes the small amount of prepacked grease in them resulting in bearing failure

willy
William Revit

Interesting comment. Won't they be lubricated by the oil, per the standard bearings, or is there some particular reason not? I thought that only differences between standard unsealed bearings and sealed bearings were the dust seals and the grease.
Dave H
Dave Hill

Especially with rear wheel bearings, I am a firm believer that if they are OK, leave them. Those are probably the longest-lasting bearings on the entire car; I can't remember the last time I worked on a car with bad wheel bearings, or the last time I felt the need to replace any.

Tom Lange
MGT Repair
t lange

When I bought my Dave Clark rear end and half shafts he fitted an old seat of bearings for me.

He said they were better than any new ones.

Of course those half shafts are now available from Tom Lange.

Peter
P G Gilvarry

I put mine back - as originals they were from a top quality UK manufacturer and still in A1 condition. I did the same at the front as some of the cheap replacements offered I am suspicious about. I'll put rollers on the front if I need to change them.
Dave H
Dave Hill

Dave,
I hope you mean taper rollers, you will need spacers and shims to get your preload. It is not funny when a bearing picks up and rotates on the shaft.
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

Yes Ray, I know - I plan to do it exactly as LaVerne has done it, if I need to. I have bought some of the bearings, but need a few more to complete the set. Just waiting for some to appear on ebay at the right price.
Dave H
Dave Hill

This thread was discussed on 12/10/2019

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