I require some help regarding rear hub bearings boys and girls. When my fiat comes back from the body-shop (scheduled for the end of the Month), one of the jobs that I have to do is replace the rear hub bearings. I am fully aware that you can buy surprisingly cheap rear hub bearing 'kits', but "buy cheap--get cheap" I have the collapsible spacers and the hub seals, but my bearing supplier is struggling to get the correct bearings because I can only give the size (the old bearings are still on the car which is---44 miles away at the body shop!), which for the record is:--26mm x 52mm x 15mm. I want to get GOOD bearings (FAG, Timken or Toya)--so is ther anybody out there who has an old (or new) bearing and can give me the make and number of the bearing so that my supplier can get the equivalent bearing in one of the above makes?
With regard to the 'crushable' spacer, it would seem that a number of Forum members have had trouble 'crushing' the 'crushable spacer'. I have noticed that there is quite a variety regarding the quality of the (technically) same spacer from different suppliers. The spacers from 'FD Ricambi' and 'Axel Gerstl' look (and feel) just like the old original 'Factory' parts, whilst the spacers from other suppliers make you wonder whether ANYTHING would crush them!

Hi, I just got a full st from AG, as I plan on tackling the job next week if the weather permits. I will get the details off the packaging when I get home.

Three examples here
SKF 639172
BREDA C107
RIV 01/4016

My personal preference is SKF. Once you have the right size try www.simplybearings.co.uk. Lots of choice and stock and speedy delivery. And cheap

Thank you all for your input---most helpful. DK500, when you have a moment, would you please look at your actual bearings and let me know what make the bearings are, and what the serial number on them is--thank you.

Beware of the spacer, Mine was very hard to crash and i almost destroy brand new axle threads, i finally grind them down little by little on my lathe until i got the correct torque. Also maybe it is better to use stake nut instead of castle nut, you will just have to make a groove to the axle to secure the nut.

I to would recommend SKF, tried & tested, recommended by car enthusiasts across the board. Best of luck with the job.

Thomas, you shouldn't have to do any 'fettling' on the spacers at all---but as I said in my initial comments, I have been surprised in the difference between spacers supplied by different suppliers---some would need a hydraulic press to 'crush'! The spacers supplied by FD Ricambi and Axel Gerstl seem to be much 'lighter' and much more like the spacers we originally used on the small Fiats (500s, 600s and 850s all use the same principal of using a 'collapsing' spacer to pre-load the bearings).

I had the same experience in that the spacer took an enormous load before it started to succumb, but once past that point became very sensitive to additional pressure and quickly reached the equilibrium point.

There is no other info on them, and the box is breda lorett.

Thank you Dk500---they are "BREDA" and 'C107' is one of the comparisons with 'SKF 639174, RIV 01/28/4016, FAG 509592A and last but not least (if you have a LOT of money--they are £85 EACH) Timken L44645/L44613.

gordinir8 said:

Beware of the spacer, Mine was very hard to crash and i almost destroy brand new axle threads, i finally grind them down little by little on my lathe until i got the correct torque. Also maybe it is better to use stake nut instead of castle nut, you will just have to make a groove to the axle to secure the nut.

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I just used nylocs instead.

I wouldn't trust nylocs, you have to secure the big nut somehow, if it fails you will just loose your wheel!!