Front Wheel Bearing 1958 Coupe

[Peter M. Zimmermann]

OK, guys, I need some help. I have a '58 coupe (not Carrera) in my garage. It had been in long term storage (12+ years), and I recently started to drive the car. Front wheel cylinder seals failed, but when I took the drums off it was one helluva fight. It turns out that the inner race of the inner bearings are so tight on the spindles that I had to pull the drums so hard that it popped the grease seals loose, which left the bearing stuck on the spindles. I go to my trusted supplier, log into their website, and discover (according to their listing) that two options exist:

1. Until 1/1958 they say to use 900 053 006 00.
2. From 2/1958 they say to use 900 059 001 00.

FYI: Sierra Madre says to use 900 053 006 00s thru 1959 models.

The VIN of my car is 103839. Can any of you pinpoint this VIN for me as to it's production month?

Can any of you tell me what the difference is in the two bearings; I'm now wondering if someone put the incorrect (early) bearings in my car (which might have been built from/after 2/58), which made it almost impossible to remove the brake drums?

Any help will be greatly appreciated!
Pete Z.

[David Jones]

Peter, I was under the impression that the wheel bearings changed with the advent of the stronger stub axles with the model change from 58 to 59 and the change was from ball to roller bearings and the discontinuation of the 2 nuts with locking tab a la VW and the switch to the locking clamp nut. The obvious way to tell early from late is that the left side was a left hand thread and the right side was RH thread and on the later stub axle both sides are RH thread. I thought the diameter of the bearings was the same just the change from ball to roller bearings and of course nothing is interchangeable. It is not from my experience unusual to have difficulty removing the inner race from the stub axle and I have resorted to brute force and a chisel on occasion. The inner race of the inner bearing is a very tight fit but will often times come off with only a little persuasion.
Brad Ripley may be the best source on which bearing is correct. but I think it will depend on which stub axles you have. They are interchangeable.

[Peter M. Zimmermann]

David, thank you! My car has the left hand thread on the left, right hand thread on the right, and the double nut design with lock plates. The car has roller bearing type bearings. The early "053" bearing is a roller, so the late "059" must be as well. The plot thickens!

[Vic Skirmants]

The inner diameter of the inner bearing increased to accommodate the larger diameter of the spindle.

[Dick Weiss]

The early stub axle diameter is 25mm for the ball-bearing and the seal/spacer has a groove for a puller tool to remove it.
The later stub axle diameter is 30mm for the tapered roller bearing and the seal/spacer doesn't have a groove and there may be
2-reliefs behind it (or may be added) for a small 2-arm puller for removal. However, there is a 25mm tapered roller bearing available\replacing the ball-bearing; Also, be sure to use the correct thrust shim and grease seal.
If the seal is trapped behind the 'stuck' inner bearing, it'll need 'destruction'.
Both axles use the same outer bearing--all parts are listed in Stoddard's catalog.

[Peter M. Zimmermann]

Bearing shaft diameter is 25mm. I guess I'll have to destroy both inner bearings during removal, and replace them with "053 006 00" bearings (based on Sierra Madre's info) and new grease seals.

I would still feel better if I new where my car's production VIN (103839) landed.

So, is the "059 001 00" bearing made to fit 30mm spindle shafts/stub axles?

[Dick Weiss]

Yes peter, It'll be correct.

[Dick Weiss]

Peter; your chassis would be built in early to mid-1958; You need a CoA. (or a Kardex copy)

[Jon Bunin]

I would still feel better if I new where my car's production VIN (103839) landed.

Hi Pete- according to Porsche service bulletin 20/58, your car was built before the reinforced stub axles were used on pushrod-engine models.
For the pushrod-engined Coupé, they were introduced partially as of 104623, and for all beginning at 104852. This change began with the Carreras in June 58, and was completed for all models by September 58.

[John Clarke]

Really good info Jon
Are we to assume that prior to the upgraded Reinforced Stub Axles, that the earlier Stub Axles were/are 'Weak' ?
I know that some racers boxed up their front trailing arms for racing, Just wondered if the earlier stub axles are suspect!
Regards Jay

[Vic Skirmants]

The earlier stub axles are definitely weak! They can break at the base and shed the whole drum and wheel.

[Al Zim]

Zim's autotechnik keeps the wheel bearings and spindle nut in stock. We offer same day shipping. The ball bearings are no longer available and are replace by roller bearings. The outer roller bearing are $18.95 each, the inner bearings are $20.95 each, the grease seals are $5.25 each and the ZIM.41.450/451 spindle nut set is $19.95. Shipping will be in the $10.00 range. You are always welcome to call and ask about our products. 800.356.2964 al zim 2018/09/10

[Peter M. Zimmermann]

Thank's for the info everybody! Jon, your "database" is incredible!

[Jay Wiener]

I ordered the wheel bearings from Sierra Madre and they weren't as good as the ones from Stoddard.

[Dick Weiss]

In what way, Jay?