Wheel Bearings

[bobthebuilder]

Hi Guys,

I had to remove a wheel to repair a puncture. (Replace the tube)

Once the wheel was split, and the tire and tube removed, I noticed that there is no spacer between the two inner races of the bearings. In effect, this would mean that once the wheel nut is tightened, it places a side load on the inner races of the bearings. The wheel nut is secured with a split pin, and was not tight or difficult to remove.
So .... should there be a spacer, or not?

[Dobbs]

Hi Bob, I cannot from the photo's see exactly how the two halves fit together, but on my Windlass, there are certainly spacers which, as you say, take up the load when tightening the two halves together.

[bobthebuilder]

Thanks dobs, that is what I thought.

This picture may better explain:



I guess I will have to make some then.

[Morph]

You definately have to have spacers, simple Aluminium tubes cut to size

[bobthebuilder]

Many thanks Morph.
I guess production will have to be halted here at work again.

[bobthebuilder]

Production at work back on schedule.
So ..... since I had to knock out a bearing on each wheel, I thought I would just replace them, all four of them, you know .... while we are at it.
What started out as a puncture repair ended in two new tubes, four new bearings, new bearing spacers and the repainting of the brake drums.

Lots of fun at the office today!