2 ms·

The bearing might be compatible, but new ones are so much better. The slop (if that’s the right word) in bearings manufactured 50 years ago was more than you ge

• 13of40 4y ago
  I'm not a serious mechanic, but I suspect one of the reasons the bearings and shaft on the hub are tapered is so you can tighten it down and accommodate for minor variations in the tolerances. That would have been more important before it was all being done with CNC. The material for the bearings was probably not super either.
  • jacquesm 4y ago
    Things that have changed in bearings: better materials science led to more understanding of how you can harden surfaces and this in turn led to better 'races' in bearings as well as balls and rollers that are harder leaving bearings that last longer in principle. But all that wouldn't matter one bit if the bearings weren't sealed properly and that's the second improvement that led to longer bearing life. Finally, the third factor, improved lubricants, better able to deal with thermal cycling and high heat.