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  1. #1

    Default Wheel bearings too big

    I went to change the front inner and outer wheel bearings on the 1986 3.8l that I am converting to 5.0l GT using all the good parts from my severely rusted out 86 GT. Problem is the races for the inner bearing are too big. Ordered some new ones, same problem. The old ones are smaller and I am beginning to wonder if someone put 4cyl spindles on this car at some point. Anyone have any input?

    edit:found the answer using the search function and cant figure out how to delete this. I will order bearings for 4cyl.
    Last edited by Bbtwice; 12-23-2020 at 06:08 PM.

  2. #2
    Moderator wraithracing's Avatar
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    Default

    No need to delete this as others may find your experience as a benefit if they are in a similar situation. The 79-86 Mustangs have the smaller front rotors which happen to be the same as used on the 87-93 4 cyl cars. The 87-93 V8 cars use the larger rotors which take different bearings and races. Unfortunately with 1986 being the first year of the SEFI 5.0 many vendors show a lot of parts listed as 86-93 when that is not entirely accurate, especially in regards to brakes. Good Luck!
    ​Trey

    "I Don't build it hoping for your approval! I built it because it meets mine!"

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  3. #3

    Default

    I just replaced mine and had the same issue. I went back to parts stores 3 times. My race and bearing were both different. Now I own an 84 GT turbo. I had problems matching the inner bearing and races. I had to eventually pop out the race and took the bearing out and got the actual part numbers. My inner bearing was part number: L16849 and the race was L68111 which oreillys had both.


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  4. #4
    FEP Super Member erratic50's Avatar
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    If you have an 86 or older just tell the parts dunces you have 1987 Mustang with 4 cyl.

    I've fought this stupid problem for nearly 30 years. Every damn time i need parts. Now I just tell them what I know fits because no one seems to have any willingness or desire to correct the damn parts books. GRR

    I can only imagine how much time my fellow 4 eye friends have wasted by parts vendor stupidity. I've personally wasted plenty here and there over the years.

  5. #5
    FEP Senior Member
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    my 85 GT had a different wheel bearing (inner, i think) than the 4 cly model. but when the rotors wore out , i could not find a GT rotor and need to go to the 4 cyl rotor. and so now my GT does have the smaller wheel bearing and when i need to change them, i need to ask for the 4 cyl. my guess is after 35 years there are not to many original 85 rotors out there.

  6. #6
    FEP Super Member erratic50's Avatar
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    Very few original 85-86 thick rotors

    they hold heat more and are very prone to cracking. I had a lot fewer brake problems once I switched to the 87-93 4 cyl crap with hawk or performance friction pads.

    of course also a lot fewer problems when I stopped driving 140 everywhere with the cruise set too ......

  7. #7

    Default

    Wait until you need brake hoses for an 84. They are different depending on whether the car came with metallic or organic brake pads.

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