Bugeye Wheel Bearings - Question

[Healeysince59]

I'm going to replace the front wheel ball bearings with tapered rollers. I've got the part numbers for the bearings so I'm good there (the car had ball bearings on one side and roller bearings on the other). Are there any shims available for other applications that fit? I'm hoping someone will say MGB or similarT (Moss price $.95 each) and not big Healey (Moss price $6.85 each).
Thanks

Marv

 

[jlaird]

So, what car and year do you have in mind?

 

[Healeysince59]

I forgot to say, didn't I. It's a 58 Bugeye.

Marv

 

[jlaird]

No shims in bugeye, just that thing (spacer) between the bearings. Tighten castle nut snug and back of to the opening for the cotter pin.

 

[Healeysince59]

If you don't shim with tapered roller bearings, you don't preload the spacer and you don't get the additional bending strength the spacer is meant to provide. This is standard practice on all BMC designs with roller bearings. The ball bearings, common to most if not all Spridgets, load the spacer without shims.

Marv

 

[jlaird]

Ahh, ball bearings no shims, tapered roller bearings shims.

Good to know, thanks.

 

[10musketeer]

Just as a curiosity, what are the differences between tapered rollers and ball bearings? I need to change the bearings on my '71 Midget soon and was wondering which I should get to get the job done right.

 

[jlaird]

Standard ones are fine, they last forever. Well if you are raceing maybe but otherwise, why bother.