43 replies to this topic

[Johnny D]

New hubs for Spec Miata and other Miata race cars add life and are rebuildable

 

 

Part No.: 0000-04-5HUB-ST

Racer Price: $379.00

 

The front hubs on a Spec Miata take a beating. SM racers know that the hubs need close monitoring and frequent replacement, and that even the heavy-duty hubs will sometimes only last 10 races. And when a hub fails, the consequences can be severe – a lost wheel that at best results in undercarriage and suspension damage, or a meeting with the wall at worst.

 

STM Powersports, owned by Spec Miata racer Mark Beyer, has come up with a solution that is sold through Mazda Motorsports and approved by the SCCA Club Racing Board and NASA for Spec Miata, and can also be used in other classes (as allowed by the rules) where NA and NB Miatas compete.

 

 

“We utilize a tapered roller bearing on the hub,” explains Beyer. “The roller bearing has a lot more contact surface than the ball bearings used [on the OEM hub].”

 

Beyer tested the hubs last year and had them on two cars at the NASA 25 Hours of Thunderhill, where they lasted for the duration of the race. But not only are they durable, perhaps the best part is they are not a use-them-up-and-toss-them item – you can rebuild them.

 

“You can take them apart and put new bearings in them,” he says. “They’re the same offset, same everything as stock.”

 

Beyer says the hubs should last 20 hours at a minimum, which is much more than racers usually get out of the stock units. And, like everything else STM Powersports builds, they’re made in the U.S. in Southeast Michigan.

 

Call 800.435.2508 to order yours today.

 

https://mazdamotorsp...gId=-1&button=y

[luvin_the_rings]

super slick part!

 

I just ordered my 3rd set of OEM grease caps for the front hubs.  Just the bolted grease cover is worth the extra money. They keep popping off over the curbs or during off track excursions. 

 

Also, Tapered bearings are easier to clean and can withstand more grit and grime in the races, as well as more load.  

 

The downside? More rolling friction. But this friction is bound to be more constant and at a longer life. 

 

I'll be buying one soon since we have a hub that is noisy. 

 

Are we still able to use ceramic balls in the OEM wheel bearings?

 

-Z

[BNaumann]

Is that aluminum?  Have these undergone any testing besides being run on a racecar?

[FTodaro]

Do they come with studs at that price and I hope we can opt for OEM studs.

[Johnny D]

Their site show snow mobiles and ATV's. Mark beyers is mentioned on their FB page in a search.

I sent them an email with some question and stated that we started a thread here.

 

Your free to call the 800 # above, LMK what you get.

Will see.

J~

[38bfast]

Do they come with studs at that price and I hope we can opt for OEM studs.

Only with long studs

[38bfast]

Is that aluminum?  Have these undergone any testing besides being run on a racecar?

Steel

[Johnny D]

Steel

 

Steel's a darker cooler, like the bearings. So is the cap steel or Aluminum ? Does it heatsink for better or worse ? Is the unit lighter weight ?

 

What parts aren't steel and don't need to be ?

 

That piece black anodized, meaning it's Aluminum ?

 

What race team/cars were used at the 25 ?

 

The site said no tech questions on Friday, so...

 

J~

[38bfast]

Enerything except the dust cap is steel. It's not anodized.

[Sean - MiataCage]

Steel's a darker cooler, like the bearings. So is the cap steel or Aluminum ? Does it heatsink for better or worse ? Is the unit lighter weight ?

 

What parts aren't steel and don't need to be ?

 

That piece black anodized, meaning it's Aluminum ?

 

What race team/cars were used at the 25 ?

 

The site said no tech questions on Friday, so...

 

J~

 

The hubs have undergone testing at multiple events, on different cars, with different drivers and multiple locations and tracks throughout the US  over the last year.  The final test was the 25 hour in December.  Each set of hubs on the 25 hour cars had over 30 hours each on them prior to taking them off of the cars and sending them back to the manufacturer for visual, and microscopic inspection.  A testing plan was put in place and acted upon and all involved feel like the hubs accomplished the overall goal.

 

The hub is heavier than an OEM one by a little over 1lb and does have more bearing contact, so one could argue that it is a performance dis-advantage due to the additional drag.   This hub was made as an alternative to the OEM hub for those that don't feel the lifespan on the new OEM hubs is good enough or long enough.  

 

It is a very, very nice piece for those that don't want to run the OEM hub.

[luvin_the_rings]

For a car that has 4 drivers in 2 organizations, we'll gladly take the durability over the weight.  I think this is perfect for a car that is gonna be seeing new drivers and lots of curbs

 

How about rear hubs?

[reyno010]

Any idea how much the replacement bearings cost is for these hubs? 

[Johnny D]

FYI, there supposed to be shipping soon, this week or next. (they've been on back order)

 

J~

[Ron Alan]

Very simple and informative video that all should watch if you purchase this product!!!!

 

[Johnny D]

Thanks for Posting Ron.

J~

[DrDomm]

What kind of grease was that?

[ChaseH]

What kind of grease was that?

Redline synthetic cream cheese frosting

[Scott Krzastek]

Are these available through Mazda yet?  I searched for the part number on their website and it came back as invalid

[Caveman-kwebb99]

I have now installed one of these on a customer's car I think the thing is a pita... And way over priced for the trouble... Also understand that the inside bearing is failing normally within about 3 weekends the hub is rebuildable but Imo for that money should last alot longer then 3 weekends for rebuild

[Johnny D]

I understand that Mazda isn't really supporting this either (after selling it) but the MFG is/will.

 

J~