My '86 F150 XLT's front right rotor got chewed up real bad because I didn't have the time & money to replace the pads for a couple of weeks.

When I priced having a professional replace the rotor, it was too expensive so I bought a rotor (& bearings) from Auto Zone and did it myself. (Replaced the pads on both the left & right front brakes as well.)

The bearings (inside & outside) came with a metal "cover" (I think it is called a "race".) When I went to change the bearings, I hadn't thought to ask the guy at Auto Zone if about the "race", and so was not prepared when it came time to re-install the bearings.

I had the truck's brakes disassembled at a friend's house, no Hayne's or Chilton's manual available, and didn't know for sure if I should remove the "old" "race's" from the new rotor, and replace them with the new one's that came with the new bearings.

I assumed since the new rotor had the
"race's" (is this the right word?) already pressed in, they must be new and good to use with the new bearings, but there is a nagging recollection that someone told me that bearings and races are a "matched pair" from the factory, and that changing them around is bad. But then it might also have been that the warning was about using old races with new bearings. I can't say for sure what I remember either way.

The truck works fine and the repair seems to have been a good one. Both front brakes will lock the tires in an emergency stop.

But this question is nagging me. I am concerned that I have done something that will come back later and cause (possibly serious and/or dangerous) problems.

Is it okay that I used the races already installed in a new rotor, rather than those that came with the bearings ?

Thanks in advance,

Billy

 

Don't fix it if it is not broke. My 2 cent. Pretty standardized stuff. I would not sweat it.

 

I have done that with no problems as a result. If you're still concerned, just repack the bearings earlier than usual and check them over well.

 

I wouldn't worry about it until the next time you change the pads, if it bothers you that bad.

My understanding of bearings/races as a matched pair was the same as yours until I had to do an emergency roadside repair on a trailor hub. When I got the new bearings, I forgot to get the race. Anyway, we pulled the old race out and used it. When we got into town, I got a new bearing and race. When I realized the part number on the new race was the same as the old race, I didn't worry about again. Haven't had a problem since then.

But it is a piece of mind.