>My mechanic says that my wheels use ball bearings and not roller
>bearings. It appears that some of the catalogs I've looked in
>(Victoria British & Special Interest Car Parts) all appear to
>have sealed type roller bearings. As you can tell, I'm not wise
>regarding the inner details of my car. Can someone clarify this
>for me? I am under the impression that the bearings currently in
>my front end are ball bearing type, similar in nature to those
>in a bicycle (not encased or sealed). Any help on what (and where)
>I need to get would be appreciated.
The original bearings on Sprites/Midgets in the front were ball
bearings. I know, I once took off the grease cap and looked at all the funny
round things coming out with it, after a very sudden decision to park the
car, and noticing that the front wheel had ~10 degrees of negative caster.
The PO had redone the bearings and not put the distance piece between inner's
and outer's back in.
As I understand, replacement roller bearings are available, and are
far more reliable and sturdy than the originals, especially with modern
grippy tires and/or suspension mods. Go with the rollers.
On a related front, a joke Joe Augenbraum and I shared saturday when
he dropped off his Maserati at my house: We were discussing the previous
owner of my house, who apparently bought an Esprit turbo with part of the
proceeds. My comment about this guy was that he's a walking PO. I pity
whoever gets that car after this guy.
Randell Jesup
p.s. unfortunately, Joe didn't leave the _keys_ for the Maserati... :-(
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