A3 Wheel Bearings

[MATT]

So, I removed all the tire inflation stuff off one of our M35A3's, including chipping away the JB weld on the spindle. I changed the inner and outer wheel bearings back to the older A2 style and used the A2 inner hub seals, just like a stock M35A2.

My question: What is better/more reliable, the new A3 o-ring seal/bearing or the older A2 bearing/hub seal?

I would like to use the A3 inner bearing/o-ring seal and use the A2 outer bearing to reduce cost, we are building 10 A3's into fire trucks..... What do you think?

I have never been impressed with the A2 inner hub seals, the o-ring seems like it may seal better.

 

[Floridianson]

So, I removed all the tire inflation stuff off one of our M35A3's, including chipping away the JB weld on the spindle. I changed the inner and outer wheel bearings back to the older A2 style and used the A2 inner hub seals, just like a stock M35A2..

So you changed out the spindles? When I changed mine back found the spindle on the A3 had the lip that held the seal was machined off. I also switched hubs and knuckles.

 

[MATT]

I did not change out the spindles, the lip for the inner seal was still present.

 

[Floridianson]

Here is two pics of my A3 spindle without a lip and one from a A2 with lip.
Wonder why there is a differance? They have to rework the spindle to allow the air to enter.

 

[rchalmers3]

James,

That A3 spindle bearing race surface looks terrible!

Exactly where is the spindle machined? I cannot see a difference, maybe due to the photo angle.

Rick

 

[Floridianson]

That is why I changed it. She went swimming and I let it sit for just a LITTLE to long. Good thing it was just my time involved as I had the spare parts.

 

[altoids]

Matt, do you know where to get inner bearings at a good price?

James, I was looking at my front spindle & it looks like all they did was TIG a plate of some sort around spindle to allow air to pass through. If so couldn't I just carefully plasma or grind off the plate to reveal old mounting surface? It's gotta still be there or it wouldn't be air tight.

 

[Floridianson]

Good call and guess you could try.

 

[the buddah]

well my question is this the a3 bearings i did away with the ctis on the front hub will the a2 bearings work in the a3 hub i should be able to use a dif inner and outer bearing but you can get inner bearings from miller bearing 350. each and will take 6 months for timken to make they can get the outers now