Front Wheel Bearing Shims

[10musketeer]

I noticed that my front wheel bearings didn't have any shims when I took them apart, and I notice the big two suppliers don't list them. Are these not necessary on a Midget?

How do I check the end float with a gauge? I've only done this by feeling the play in the wheel, but I suppose I should learn and now is as good a time as any!

 

[JPSmit]

I got two shims each with the major rebuild kit from VB (and had shims when I took the old apart)

If you need the old ones, PM me.

JP

 

[PeterC]

There are no shims used on the original, and arguably correct, ball bearings. If you were to use a tapered bearing set-up that some advocate, they'd require shims, ala MGB.

Peter

 

[JPSmit]

Oops my bad- I was in king pin mode

 

[10musketeer]

O.K., sounds good. I just wanted to make sure before I go at this. And if "thrust" is on the outer races, then both markings go against the spacer- right?

 

[JPSmit]

yes - that's what I did

 

[10musketeer]

So now is there a difference between the bearings for wire wheel hubs vs. pressed? I didn't think so, and the catalogs from the big two don't indicate that there is. However, the bearings that came off of the wire wheel hub are very different looking than the ones I received from one of the catalogs (the kit). The ones I got do not seem to fit correctly.

 

[10musketeer]

So I found that there is no difference, and after a little more heat and persuading I got them to work just fine. The only thing that got me thinking now that I am done is if I used enough grease. The PO had so much grease in there that it was coming out everywhere and took me 2 hours to clean out. I guess to make sure that I didn't have to clean like that again I used less. I packed the bearings and coated the spacer, but I didn't "fill" the area that the spacer occupies like the po did. Did I make a mistake?

 

[JPSmit]

I didn't either - I just packed the bearings and lubed the inside of the hub (to get the bearings in) the stub axle won't touch the inside of the spacer so I don't see the need

 

[10musketeer]

Well at least I can rest knowing there are at least two of us in the same boat!

I agree, it just didn't make sense to fill the space between, and it really made a mess. And come to think of it the right ones failed after all, so I guess we know that's not an end-all solution! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

 

[jlaird]

The area does not need to be filled.