Front wheel bearing adjustment BJ8

[DavidThorn]

With the front offside wheel jacked up and the wheel gripped at top and bottom there is some movement `rocking` that seems to be coming from the bearings. The manual I have talks of adjusting `end float` which it says is in and out movement by way of shims. There does not seem to be any end float on my car so what do I do to stop the rocking ? There is also some slight noise when going around left hand corners (when presumably the offside bearing is under more load)

 

[Randy_Gay]

Does it have any movement when the grip is on the sides?

 

[Dave Russell]

Due to the tapered nature of the bearings, it is unlikely that there could be rocking top & bottom unless there were also too much end float.

The Healeys use a spacer sleeve which should be gripped tightly between the bearing inner races. (This adds strength to the spindle assembly). This method relies on shimming the spacer to bearing fit to obtain compression on the bearing inner races/sleeve, while still allowing the bearings to not bind in their races in the axial direction.

The shop manual gives a fairly complete description of how to set up the bearing/sleeve fit by selecting the correct shims.

If something is making "noises" you would be well to remove & inspect all bearings, replace any suspect bearings, replace the seals, & follow the book to the letter on shimming/fitting the assemblies. Purchase a couple of shim packs also.

A lot of trouble, but well worth it to assure that you don't have serious problems in the future.

Note: BJ8 uses different shims than earlier models.
D

 

[DavidThorn]

Thanks for the info - yes there is a similar amount of movement when gripped at each side - but none at all in and out i.e. trying to pull the wheel off or push it onto the car.

I couldnt be anything as simple as the main nut(with the split pin through it) being not tight enough could it?

The MOT tester (UK yearly vehicle examination) commented on it last year so I thought I should do something before this years test.

 

[Keoke]

No I doubt it is as simple as the main nut not being tight enough. I might suggest what you are seeing is king pin bushing wear as apposed to improper wheel bearing assembly and torque.--Fwiw--Keoke