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If you are into restorations of 47-55 1st Series Trucks, it may be handy to know that a change occurred in 1951 that makes a difference in the front end parts you need. Prior to 1951 the Front Hub on the left was used. They are made a little better. Heavier metal was used. Also, the 1950 Hub (left) is taller. This also means the Spindle is longer prior to 1951 making the hubs NOT interchangeable. The Hub on the right of the picture is a 1951-1959 Hub. The good news is, the Bearings are the same. The best way to attack repair and replacement of the Bearing Assemblies is to get the new style taper bearing kits available at most of our vendors. I have personally removed and replaced the bearing assemblies from one style Hub to the other, so I know the Bearing Assemblies are compatible.
These are pictures of the 1951-59 Hub. A special tool is used to press out the bearings and another is used to press the new ones back in. If you use a punch and carefully tap each alternating slot you can get them out, but be very careful not to scar the surface of the hub. It is best to just take them to a front end specialist and have them remove and replace them for you. Also, installing them can be done with a 2 inch piece of exhaust pipe for the back and a 1-3/8" Socket for the front, but it's just safer to have them done at a specialty shop. The ones you see here, I did myself and had no scarring, but it takes lots of patience. Once the bearing race is pressed into the hub, pack the bearings with a high quality bearing grease. Really push the stuff in there good making sure to really pack them well, then put the bearing seal (pictured right) over the top. It is also a press fit. Once the seal is on, it is ready to install on the Spindle. To install on the Spindle, just push it all the way in, then put the washer on first, then the nut. Tighten until the Hub no longer moves freely, then back it off to the next opportunity to push the cotter pin through the hole. The bare Hubs without the Drums are used for Disc Brake Conversions.
The picture on the left shows the differences in the standard ball bearing assemblies and the taper assemblies. The newer style taper assemblies are clearly better because there is much more surface contact and much smoother action. They are also purported to last much longer. The older Ball Bearing style has three parts to it. The outer, race, and inner where the taper style only has an outer with the race and inner piece as one. Hope this helps someone. Seeya Next Week!
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