It looks like I need to replace a wheel bearing/oil seal on one side of my ex-Escort English axle - can anyone suggest a good place to buy 1 bearing/seal and fixing collar? (they normally come together).

Burtons are best for escort parts that's where I got mine from

Trouble is that Burtons sell them in pairs, and I only need one! The other side was done a few years ago, and is OK.

(But I will re-check the Burtons website, in case I missed the singles)

[Edited on 4/6/21 by David Jenkins]

this is it isn't it?
wheel bearing

regards Pete

You're right - that's the beastie. Shows how hard I didn't look!

I won't order it until I can check the condition of the brake shoes, as I might need to order a complete set of those as well (it might be time for their replacement anyway, as they've never been changed since SVA! Not that they do much work on the Locost... )

Are they proper wheel bearings for English axles ?

I thought that you couldn't get them anymore with the oil seals ?

These look like they have oil seals on them or am I missing something?

They look right to me - the same as the one I put on the other side a few years back.

Another follow-on half-shaft/wheel bearing question...

In the days when Escort rear wheel bearings didn't have an o-ring around them, was it normal to put any sort of sealant around them before tapping the shaft and bearing back into place?

The reason for asking is that the o-ring got sliced in two by the brake backing plate before I even got started on locating the whole thing in the axle.

It's a good solid "hammer and wood block" fit in the axle, so I'm wondering if I can do without the o-ring, maybe with sealant.

I'm at the stage where it's easy to do this work now, before I refit all the brake components.

Another follow-on half-shaft/wheel bearing question...

In the days when Escort rear wheel bearings didn't have an o-ring around them, was it normal to put any sort of sealant around them before tapping the shaft and bearing back into place?

The reason for asking is that the o-ring got sliced in two by the brake backing plate before I even got started on locating the whole thing in the axle.

It's a good solid "hammer and wood block" fit in the axle, so I'm wondering if I can do without the o-ring, maybe with sealant.

I'm at the stage where it's easy to do this work now, before I refit all the brake components.

Background: Originally the bearings came without o-rings, but later ones had them. The dimensions of the bearings are identical.

[Edited on 19/6/21 by David Jenkins]

I would replace the o ring if you can find one ( hydraulic engineers perhaps) if not a smear of instant gasket etc filling the groove should work

Thanks Mel,

A smear of non-setting gasket goo is basically what I've done. There's no point in fitting another o-ring as the bearing itself will only just go through the brake backing plate - it's a very snug fit, almost exactly the same diameter as the bearing recess in the end of the axle. This axle was never meant to take a bearing with an o-ring! I'm happy enough though, as the basic dimensions of the bearing are identical (I checked before the old bearing came off).

I've now cleaned and refitted all the brake parts, with the exception of the pull-off spring that goes between the rear shoe and the handbrake mechanism - and what a little bar-steward that is to fit!

I feel like having a little rant about Google though... I needed a picture of the brake mechanism to make sure that I put the springs back in the right places, but my Haynes manual is no help whatsoever. All I found was a reference to 1 YouTube video and 10,000 adverts. Seems hardly worth bothering with Google these days.

All springs fitted, everything cleaned, drum re-fitted, brake bled and wheel replaced... so...

I'VE FINISHED!!!

I do not like fighting drum brakes...

Wehay !! well done, another job ticked off !

Jason