1940 ford brakes

[Swarm]

Hi I am kind of confused with the brakes a bit. I'm replacing the front axle on my 36 ford with a drop axle and I'm taking everything apart. Well I took the front hubs off and I was looking at the bearings inspecting them but they only had the front smaller bearings on either side but not the larger bearings at the back by the spindle. Was that how they did it back then or was the person I got the car from before me just lazy or something? I ordered new races and bearings, gonna hand pack everything just curious about the brakes. Thanks

[Terry,OH]

The front 40 wheel hubs have both inner and outer bearings and races. In addition there is a seal on the inside. I would guess you missed seeing the inner bearings because the seal covered them. They had to be in place.

[Ken/Alabama]

There should be two bearings. Large inner and smaller outer.

[glennpm]

You have the inner bearings hidden like others have mentioned. Without the inners, the wheels would just flop around and no way could you drive it without them.

[V8COOPMAN]

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The first picture shows a 1940 drum with the grease seal still installed. If you look VERY closely, just inside the hole of the seal, you can barely make-out the shiny inner bearing.






Second picture is a close-up of the seal, with the shiny INNER bearing behind it, with RED grease on the bearing. Pry the seal out with a screw driver and the roller bearing will fall out.






The 3rd picture shows a 1940 drum with the seal and inner bearing removed, although the race remains installed in the hub.







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