Who runs unit Bearings?

[Tech Tim]

The Ford F350 unit bearing hubs get a bad rep because they have a hard time going 100,000 miles before they need to be replaced.

How about in a desert race scenario? Are people using them? Happy with them or are they prone to failure?

The XRRA guys (Rock Racers) are going a full season on a set of them with no issues. They don't put anywhere near the miles on them that a desert race rig does, but they do beat the rigs very severely with big and heavy wheel/tire combinations.

[Sato Bros. Racing]

My brother and I run them in the back of our truck and we just converted our knuckles over to the same unit bearing in the front.We have got about 100-150 HARD testing miles on the rear ones with zero problems.I actually love them!There was some concern when I first built the rear that the hub of the unit bearing would not be able to handle the load from the drive flange due the machining involved on the OD to fit a 4.250 bore wheel.So far,so good!We have actually built quite a few rear ends at work with that set up,but every single one is for rock crawlers,so our truck is the first full size desert truck to have them.I have been more than satisfied with the durability with Super Duty unit bearing set as a rear floater set up and will let you know how they work out in the front after Labor Day weekend.The one major down side to the front set up is the unsprung weight and the kpi.

[dislocated1]

We have them front and back on Jon's JS3...... two races and lots of test miles on them, been great so far!

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a298/jkrell/Wrangler%20Pics/CIMG1634.jpg

[Dezertpilot]

That JS3 is insanely BA!

[Triaged]

...The one major down side to the front set up is the unsprung weight and the kpi.Nice looking setup. Thanks for the pictures and write-up. What is the change in unsprung weight and KPI? What about the distance from the steering axis to the wheel mounting surface? I would think it would be shorter with a unit-bearing.

...and your front calipers are on the wrong side:p

[Sato Bros. Racing]

Nice looking setup. Thanks for the pictures and write-up. What is the change in unsprung weight and KPI? What about the distance from the steering axis to the wheel mounting surface? I would think it would be shorter with a unit-bearing.

...and your front calipers are on the wrong side:p

I'll weigh everything out and measure the steering axis against the stock f-150 hub and knuckle and let you know. " and your front calipers are on the wrong side:p[/QUOTE]"...haha,ya I know!I was wondering if anybody was gunna catch that.Had to slam the thing together so I could get it on its wheels and move it,you know how those LONG and LATE nights go:D

[Jkrell]

To extend on what Skyler said..... We have about 350 race miles and around 100 or so test miles on the Wrangler running the f350 unit bearings front and rear. We were inspecting the front unit bearing today and they are in perfect condition.



That JS3 is insanely BA!

Thanks!