Front wheel bearing......HELP!!

[Brandon K.]

On my '67, I was fitting new front bearings, when I happened to slide one of the inner bearings on the spindle, and noticed that it is a very loose fit on the spindle shaft. Seemed that it might lead to a "spun bearing" so I am seeking the advice of the "collective". The bearing is a Timkin, so its not a piece of garbage. I already have the other side all assembled, so I decided to post the question before taking everything apart.

Is there danger here Will Robinson, or is this normal? Should the inner cage of the bearing be a tight or loose fit on the spindle? All advice welcomed.

Brandon

[Duke W.]

Re: Front wheel bearing......HELP!!

Loose and tight are relative terms. The bearings should slip easily over the spindle with a bit a clearance, a few thousanths perhaps. Can you measure both spindles with a mike or caliper to compare them. Both the bearing inner race and the spindle are hardened, so significant wear would probably show evidence of galling. You bearing supplier should have a chart with the inside diameter race measurement, but you can also measure it with a standard caliper. Without the blueprint dimensions its tough to tell what the exact clearance range should be,but if you make the measurements on both sides and the clearance is within a few thou, it's probably okay.

Duke

[Scott Marzahl]

Re: Front wheel bearing......HELP!!

Brandon, is it obviously more loose than the other side you already have completed? Does the spindle show any signs of wear or galling. Are the part numbers on the bearings the same? How are you checking for slop, are you "rocking" the bearing or moving it perpendicular to the spindle. There should only be a few thousands clearance between the bearing and the spindle. The spindles on my '67 were pretty galled and worn so I had them machined and hard chromed back up to orginal tolerances.