Best rear wheel/stub axle bearing, Bearing renew. Options

[914Toy]

What is recommended choice here for trailing arm rear wheel/stub axle bearing - there are two available at Pelican Parts: FAG @ $37.50 with four star rating and SKF @ $75.00 with three star rating?

[914Sixer]

Years back I did a comparison on the rear bearings. they are NOT made the same as the original ones. Internal races are NOT as thick as the originals and the bearings are smaller. Bruce Stone and I talked about this a couple of weeks ago. He did all sorts of measurements on the bearings. Not sure of his conclusions Maybe he will chime in.

[bdstone914]

Years back I did a comparison on the rear bearings. they are NOT made the same as the original ones. Internal races are NOT as thick as the originals and the bearings are smaller. Bruce Stone and I talked about this a couple of weeks ago. He did all sorts of measurements on the bearings. Not sure of his conclusions Maybe he will chime in.

Yes Bruce will chime in.
I discussed with Mark his experience that the installed bearings had more play after installed and the stub axle installed. He had some info that the bearings were made to more loose tolerances.
I had about a dozen used bearings that I decided to tear down for sling shot ammo.
I found the old German made bearings took a lot more pressure to pop out the seal and outer race. The Slovakian bearing pop apart with very little pressure.
I would like to know the quality level to which they are build regarding allowed variation in size and clearances. They may have looser tolerances allowing faster machining time and reduced cost.

What I found most interesting was the 911 Porsche 1974 and on, does not have a metal cage to hold the balls. It is some find of flexible plastic.

I have tried the freezer method and it only worked once. The bores are often not smooth with rough machining. I made slide hammer tools to remove the hubs and bearings. I use a Harbor Freight Bearing installation set. I have a shop press but never used it for bearing install. I like to hand install them to have the feel that they are going in right. I get them started then tap the plate on the top with a hammer alternately around the edge to get the bearing in about 1/4 inch. They never want to go in straight. After they are started I used the fine threaded rod and discs to pull them in.

@914sixer
@bbrock