Wheel bearing on a Cavalier

[Birdie2000]

Car is a 2000 Cavalier Z24.

I'm in the middle of replacing a wheel bearing and have a bit of a dilemma. The new wheel bearing kit I have came with a seal and an o-ring and it says to always replace these if they're included. The old wheel bearing I took out used neither of these parts, and the new bearing looks identical except that it doesn't look as thoroughly sealed on the back but no moving parts are exposed either. I did a quick search on the Cavalier/Sunfire forums and it's split 50/50 as to whether you actually use this seal/o-ring. I personally cannot see where to put this on that it'll work properly. Just wondering if anyone else is familiar with the procedure on a Cavalier and if I need these parts or if they go straight in the trash can. I don't want a premature bearing failure because I didn't install this thing right. The wheel bearing is a USA-made Timken btw.

 

[Sean]

Oring goes between the hub and the spindle at the mating flange area on the snout of the hub IIRC.

 

[Birdie2000]

Yeah, that's what I kinda thought, the spindle flange has a 45° bevel to it and the new bearing is radiused in that area so it kinda looked like the o-ring was supposed to go there. Just confused me since there wasn't one on the factory bearing.

Is it your experience that a Cavalier uses a seal on the rear of the spindle? Like I said the factory didn't have one, and without pulling the whole axle shaft out of the transmission I can't get this damn thing on the rear of the spindle to even see if it could be installed properly. I'm pretty sure that even if I got installed as described it would prevent the bearing from fitting in the spindle all the way. The factory service manual makes no mention of a seal or an o-ring.