For the record there wasn't any play when moving the wheel (like one would expect with a bad bearing).

 

Oy vey! That's broken, and no two ways about it!

 

No lies there @MeToo, kinda wish I knew how exactly it happened

 

I've NEVER sen a roller fracture like that in all my maintenance days. What was the odd sound you heard that tipped you off to some kind of issue? Inquiring minds needs to know!

 

Kinda hard to explain honestly. Light droning noise up to about 60 mph. Kept getting worse. No noises while turning or breaking though. Wasn't sure if it was a bearing or brakes but I knew which side it was.

After checking the brakes I figured it had to be a bearing. Went to go pull it and possibly repack, and my eyes got wide once I saw that fracture! Honestly got super lucky, I may not have made it another work commute.

Unfortunately I couldn't get the caliper bracket bolts off to inspect/change the inner bearing so I'm hoping that one is good 🤞

 

I know it's going to seem like a silly question, but did you clean all the grease off it before you took that picture?

 

Not silly at all! Yes, I cleaned the grease off, as I wanted to visually inspect the bearing before either repacking or replacing. If it had come off with no grease like that, I'd have another problem entirely lol

 

UPDATE: I'm hearing the same sound/same feeling beneath my left foot when it's not on the dead pedal. I'm honestly not sure if it's the inner bearing that I couldn't get to, or if my preload on the outer was too much/not enough. I've read that in the end it should be about 4.3-13 in-lbs. Unfortunately I don't own a torque wrench that goes that low, nor have I even seen one.
Gonna take it back off tomorrow morning and inspect it. I'd be surprised if the new one is cracked already like the old one was, but the symptoms are identical so I'm not sure.

 

I know its a matter of perspective, but I think inner bearings/ races are relatively easy. Usually just a hammer and a drift/punch are all you need. If the outers looked like that, well...I think I'd have a hard time not changing the inners. Replace the inner seal regardless.

 

I agree that the inner should also be replaced. Believe me I want to. The issue was not being able to crack those two caliper bracket bolts, so I can slide it all off the spindle and get to it. I'm gonna give it another go tomorrow morning.

 

So after half a can of PB Blaster, a map torch, a cheater bar, an impact and all the strength I could possibly muster up, this caliper bracket will not come off. Honestly at my wit's end. I also know that if these bolts snap, I'm royally screwed. But I've tried everything at my disposal.

I did notice however, there's the slightest bit of play in the caliper bracket itself. It seems as though the two bolts I'm trying to get off weren't completely tightened to begin with (I'll try to add a video). Not sure if that's causing the sound/feeling. Problem is, I can't tighten these bolts either. They won't budge either way 🙃

Also, when I spin it all by hand, it sounds fine (no crunching or bad noises). Nonetheless, I want to replace the inner bearing and the seal still. Just feels like the right thing to do. But I honestly don’t know if I’ll be able to make this one happen. I’ll keep trying and update y’all either way. Can’t really afford to have a shop do it all, but I may have to take it in and hope for the best.

Feeling pretty defeated right now 😞

 

 

UPDATE: JUST KEEP TRUCKING

 

Oy vey!

An impact wrench (electric) might help budge that stubborn bolt. Or not...

 

That's what I was using 😂😂 in the end I had to put all 160 lbs of me on a cheater and they finally cracked! I'm actually putting it all together now.

Unfortunately I didn't have a new outer race to put in. I ordered one and it'll be in tomorrow. In the meantime, I replaced the inner bearing and the inner seal. Sucks I'll have to tear it all down again tomorrow to get that new race in, but it's gotta be done 🤷🏽‍♂️

 

The bearings didn't come with the race? I haven't bought any in awhile, but if you can...buy them as set. Just hate to have pitted races ruin your new bearing.

 

I thought they came together. Turns out Timken sells the inners together, but the outer bearing and race they sell separately 🙄 Thankfully AutoZone had the race in stock at their hub store, so they call me when it comes in tomorrow.

Fingers crossed the new bearing doesn't get ruined in the meantime 🤞