TA22 front wheel hub bearings

[ta22fan]

Mainly just curious. I'm replacing the front wheel bearings on my '74 TA22 - pretty straight foward exercise, but in chasing down a replacement set of bearings & seals, I've discovered that these bearings changed in the TA22 in April 1974. One product code for cars Dec '70 to Apr '74, then a different code for cars Apr '74 onward. In fact the later version bearing kit fits all subsequent Gen 1 Celicas through to late '77.

Suggests that Toyota made a change to the front strut / spindle in April '74. Bit odd because April '74 was not an model "update" point in the life of the TA22 AFAIK.

Does anyone happen to know what changed and why?

Also makes me suspect that front struts are not necessarily interchangable between pre April '74 and post April '74 TA22's.

[roadkill]

Hi,

if you have the part no's available to you why not contact CBC or someone that makes them. Maybe they'll be able to tell you? It may be the same physical size but a better load rating on the later ones?

bEn

[71TA22]

The struts are interchangeable. Bearing replacement gets a bit more interesting when you find your car has one of each on it.

[sbfoot]

later model has larger bearings and possibly bigger rotor and calipers.

[ToyTA22]

ta22fan. I found the hard way. I bought two front bearing sets for my October 74 ta22. But when dismantling passengerv strut someone prior put late model bearing on early strut, strut was replaced prior to me owning car. The earlier bearing is approximately 1mm smaller in id. I wondered why it had so much play in steering before changing to earlier bearing.

[ta22fan]

Thanks everyone. Sounds like Toyota must have upgraded the spindle in April '74 - guess would be for greater strength. A gotcha for the unwary. My car is a Dec '74, hopefully with matching struts. I'll check the fit of the new bearings when they arrive tho just to be sure.