Metal flakes behind wheel bearing?

[Guest]

Ordered some new tires, figured I should change the bearings while the wheels are off. When I pulled one of the rear bearings I found metal particles behind it:




Hard to get a good picture with my phone but that is the sprocket side. I can see the spacer was flopping around a bit.



This is the spacer you can see a ring where I assume it was rubbing.

So what could have caused this and am I good to keep using it? All the weight is on the bearings anyway right?

[Dj66]

Bearings shot,spacers probably good. Look at the ends,if you see signs of damage there, it too is shot.