[FC] Re: <VV> FC Rear Axle Bearing

[Larry Forman]

At 03:49 PM 2/1/2003 -0600, Williams, Rickie wrote:
>I decided today to regrease the rear wheel/axle bearings on my Greenbrier
>today following the procedure outlined in the Tech Guide.
>
>The left side went smooth, but the right side I am a bit worried about.  On
>the left side, the bearing shell was made up of the retaining ring and then
>four layers of metal...two of what I presume are referred to as dust shields
>and then the two that hold the races.  On the right side though, all that is
>present is the two halves that hold the races...no dust shields and no
>retaining ring.
>
>So for kicks, I called the local parts store and asked them to look up the
>bearing for me.  They actually think that they can get one.  The reason
>though for this message is to ask if anyone knows if the following part
>number is valid for an FC rear axle bearing...
>
>BCA National RW607NR
>
>As for the bearing on the axle, I noticed that the rubber seal on the
>bearing's outermost edge had HYATT 3568 on it...but I do not know if this is
>just the number for the seal itself or if it's the number for the whole
>bearing.
>
>I gave the parts man all of the numbers in the table in the suspension
>section of the tech guide for FC rear wheel bearing, but none of those
>numbers were any good to him.  Thus, my concern for the number he has
>ordered.
>
>Any feedback would be appreciated.
>
>Rickie Williams
>Columbia, KY

Hi Rickie,
IF these are the infamous Green bearings, they are ball bearings versus the 
roller bearings that are needed.  You should be aware that using these low 
quality/low reliability bearings could place you in a severely dangerous 
situation if the bearings fail.  The rear axle bearings are the ONLY thing 
retaining your axle.  If they fail, your axle can come out in a cornering 
situation.  If that happens it also takes with it the brake drum, which 
disables your brakes totally, assuming you have the stock single master 
brake cylinder.  Thus you have a wheel lost as well as your brakes.  This 
is possibly the most dangerous condition you could encounter.  Stay clear 
of any inferior ball bearing replacements.
-- Larry