How to tell when wheel bearings are toast?

[turbojimmy]

I put new rotors on the GN today. Both outer wheel bearings were a tannish color - different shades of tan over the top half of it versus the bottom half. I don't know if this means they're worn or not. The rollers are fine and tight. I repacked them and put them back in and they seem to be fine.

So how do you tell?

Thanks,
Jim

 

[TURBOTWIN2]

Bearings

After cleaning the bearings (parts washer or brake cleaner), inspect the rollers for pitting, chipping rust, etc. Same for the races in the hub. You can then "load" the bearing with your hands and turn them, feeling for roughness, should turn freely. You want to push from the inside while holding the outside, simulating how the bearing turns going down the road, hard to describe how to do it, but it's simple. Sounds like your bearings are fine, if in doubt, new ones are fairly cheap, just be sure to replace the races that come with them. HTH.