Posted May 24, 20231 yr comment_653859 So, I've got a question about wheel hubs. I was putting the new rotors on my freshly cleaned up hubs. Once they were all together I noticed that the two hubs were not the same. I've owned this car since 1995. The previous owner was the first owner (bought it brand new in '76). I have never replaced the wheel hubs. I don't think he did either. However, the hubs are different, see attached pictures. The question: Do these differences actually matter? Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/68353-wheel-hub-differences/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
May 24, 20231 yr comment_653860 Have you checked the edge of the short one for damage? I had a 78 hub that had that lip worn off due to a pebble getting trapped in the gap and grinding away. It didn't matter much because the seal seat was intact. Wipe the grease off and see if it's a machined surface or jagged. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/68353-wheel-hub-differences/#findComment-653860 Share on other sites More sharing options...
May 24, 20231 yr Author comment_653862 It's completely clean (had to get it all clean to paint them!) and the edges are machined surfaces. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/68353-wheel-hub-differences/#findComment-653862 Share on other sites More sharing options...
May 24, 20231 yr comment_653863 Do they look the same on the wheel side? Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/68353-wheel-hub-differences/#findComment-653863 Share on other sites More sharing options...
May 24, 20231 yr Author comment_653864 Yup, the only difference is the back side. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/68353-wheel-hub-differences/#findComment-653864 Share on other sites More sharing options...
May 24, 20231 yr comment_653867 Just looking through the ones on eBay they look to all have the lip style. Like your second pic. The one looks shorter, perhaps it is like Zed says ground down. Could just be the picture. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/68353-wheel-hub-differences/#findComment-653867 Share on other sites More sharing options...
May 24, 20231 yr Author comment_653868 But the real question is: does it really make a difference for function? Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/68353-wheel-hub-differences/#findComment-653868 Share on other sites More sharing options...
May 24, 20231 yr comment_653869 41 minutes ago, Zed Head said: It didn't matter much because the seal seat was intact. The hub rides on the bearings. So the bearing race seats and the seal seats are what matter on the inside. I think that the lip is protection to keep dust and dirt away from the seal. When you put it back together look down at the gap and you'll probably see its purpose. Edited May 24, 20231 yr by Zed Head Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/68353-wheel-hub-differences/#findComment-653869 Share on other sites More sharing options...
May 24, 20231 yr comment_653872 It looks like that lip rides over the step on the spindle. The seal is farther in. I agree with Zed a debris shield. Functionally it keeps dirt off the seal, which could potentially fail and release grease on the brakes. Edited May 24, 20231 yr by Terrapin Z Purpose Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/68353-wheel-hub-differences/#findComment-653872 Share on other sites More sharing options...
May 24, 20231 yr Author comment_653873 Cool, then I'll machine them to match. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/68353-wheel-hub-differences/#findComment-653873 Share on other sites More sharing options...
May 25, 20231 yr comment_653875 Seems like that lip might also grind away if the wheel bearings go bad. Might be why it looks machined. Why would you make a good one not-so-good, instead of just living with a not-so-good one? The lip serves a purpose. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/68353-wheel-hub-differences/#findComment-653875 Share on other sites More sharing options...
May 25, 20231 yr Author comment_653877 Do you know if that's steel or cast iron? Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/68353-wheel-hub-differences/#findComment-653877 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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