My old original wheel bearings are the standard open-ball type. I see most new bearings are the sealed type. Should/could I replace the old type with the sealed kind?

Phil Jamison
PA

Can if you want to on cars without front wheel brakes. Brake heat can and will transfer to the hub. Heat may do bad things to a seal and the grease may not be rated for it. It does relieve you of properly lubricating them on installation and at routine intervals. Along this line, I was replacing bearings in a 1920s transmission and could only get sealed type. As the circulation of the lubricant was thru the ball bearing, I simply removed the seals.

That would work on my car, as it has no front brakes. Thanks.

Phil