Front wheel bearing orientation

Does anyone know which way to install a Koyo front wheel bearing on an 03 4x4 Tacoma? It's discussed in a thread but never got answered... I'm not detecting much magnetism on either side, one side is all metal and the other has a black plastic ring. My mechanic put the metal side in but I want to make sure it's correct.

 

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Thanks, I think I fixed it.

 

@zippsub9 might be able to point you in the right direction.

I'm pretty sure timmy the toolman has a detailed video on changing the front wheel bearings as well. He usually includes details like orientation, etc.. might be worth watching his video in the meantime.

 

Ohhhh Yeah
Make sure magnet side goes in the correct direction
Big Time re work job if ABS lite comes on after incorrect install

I’m sure there are some markings on said bearing(s) to orientate correctly

Or
Once determined what side of bearing has magnet with paper clip
Make sure that M side faces ABS sensor

 

Welcome to TW…

 

Please elaborate, there is no magnet in the first gen bearings. The passive sensor utilizes the pulse off the tone ring of the ABS ring and has nothing at all to do with the bearing whatsoever.

I always protect the softer black bearing seal behind the hub so it never gets exposed to elements. The metallic silver seal side I put towards the inside of the knuckle. I’ve been building these since 2014 for both ABS and non-ABS setups.

I believe the magnet you are thinking of is what resides inside the sensor to open and close the circuit for ABS and not in the bearing.

There are probably varying opinions on orientation but this was the best way to protect the sealed bearing I found and never had any ABS issues. The tone rings are prone to damage easily which will cause issues if the sharp edges aren’t protected on the outer surface.

 

The second and third Gen bearings use an embedded hall affect sensor incorporated into the bearing.

 

Supporting the inner race when pushing in the hub is probably the most important step. If the race bends or mangles the seal then that bearing is now exposed to elements and early failure. Other than that, side preload is the other main killer. Either ADD CV nut at 173 lb/ft or 203lb/ft on manual lock nut on 4x4 or PreRunner.

 

Sorry assumed magnet!

 

I watched that video and he puts it in the opposite way, with the tone ring facing out. This led to a big debate with my mechanic who insisted on doing it the other way. In the video timmy the toolman is working on a 3rd gen 4runner.

 

Thanks zippsub9 for all the info! Did a lot of searching and couldn't find it anywhere else. This was my first experience with TW and y'all came through, appreciate it!

 

The spindle and bearings on the 3rd gen 4runners and the 6 lug Tacoma's are the same. If I am reading correctly what @zippsub9 is saying, the bearing can be used in either direction.

You may not want to hear this, but I think you need to use them as they are now. Unfortunately you cannot simply reorient the currently installed bearing as removing them will surely destroy them.

 

Yes, @Digiratus is correct. The bearing can be installed in either orientation. There is no one way universal. I install as pictured for the reasons I mentioned above, but that is for protection of the seals as I see them. The tone ring can only be installed one way. It is a separate component that gets stacked onto the bearing and locked into orientation as part of the preload stack.


@Jas521 the tone ring is not part
of the bearing on the first gen Tacoma or 3rd gen 4Runner. It is a separate piece. Tim the Toolman video does show an opposite orientation install. It will work either way, but have never found or had any documentation from Toyota for orientation otherwise. I keep the “weak” side protected behind the hub. It is my opinion and technique alone. The seals on both sides are thin and easy to deform if not careful. The bearing install is one time shot. A brand new bearing cannot be removed and reinstalled. They are destroyed upon removal. It is a sealed unit from JTEKT/KOYO and regardless of any race re-stack the seals are compromised.