Rear Hub Bearing Adjustment

[thebadleys]

At weekend I began to rectify play in my rear wheel bearings as advised on my recent MOT. After talking to Ian (Milo) I decided to try adjustment rather than replacement.

So with Ian's special tools I set about the task on Sunday afternoon, on removing the O/S shaft I immediately saw why there was excessive play !

IMG_0213.jpg

Adjusting and locking nuts were loose and the lock washer had the locking tabs missing, there were also chisel marks where someone had "adjusted" the bearings. On checking the invoices given to me by the PO it had been adjusted some 1800 miles earlier (although 5 years ago) by a classic car specialist !!!

Upon dismantling the hub the inner bearing was rusty although it had some grease, that was when I found this.

IMG_0226.jpg

This is an adjuster/spacer that should be flat on the side you can see, the bearing has worn a groove in by being loose and incorrectly adjusted.

It is a unusual part in that the likes of LD and Paddocks don't stock it, however bought 2 from Fitchets (I'm assuming problems on the N/S as well)

Removed N/S shaft this afternoon and going dismantle on Wednesday, I've ordered new parts for both sides so we'll see how we get on.

Update to follow

[milothedog]

At weekend I began to rectify play in my rear wheel bearings as advised on my recent MOT. After talking to Ian (Milo) I decided to try adjustment rather than replacement.

So with Ian's special tools I set about the task on Sunday afternoon, on removing the O/S shaft I immediately saw why there was excessive play !

[ATTACH=CONFIG]34078[/ATTACH]

Adjusting and locking nuts were loose and the lock washer had the locking tabs missing, there were also chisel marks where someone had "adjusted" the bearings. On checking the invoices given to me by the PO it had been adjusted some 1800 miles earlier (although 5 years ago) by a classic car specialist !!!

Upon dismantling the hub the inner bearing was rusty although it had some grease, that was when I found this.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]34079[/ATTACH]

This is an adjuster/spacer that should be flat on the side you can see, the bearing has worn a groove in by being loose and incorrectly adjusted.

It is a unusual part in that the likes of LD and Paddocks don't stock it, however bought 2 from Fitchets (I'm assuming problems on the N/S as well)

Removed N/S shaft this afternoon and going dismantle on Wednesday, I've ordered new parts for both sides so we'll see how we get on.

Update to follow

Nigel, did it have the collapsible spacer fitted in side? As that it's purpose. To stop it all "running live" on the axle shaft.

Ian.

[thebadleys]

Hi Ian, yes it did, I think its been over adjusted then tightened up to mask it.

[thebadleys]

Nearside shaft dismantled this morning, boy am I glad I decided to do these, this is the spacer taken out and next to it is a new one.
IMG_0230.jpg IMG_0231.jpg

And this is the bearing track

IMG_0229.jpg

The hub that these parts came from was fitted as a rebuilt exchange hub 1,920 miles ago !! It makes you wonder about the quality of the parts used and the attention to refurbishing the hub assembly, I'm certainly glad I have decided not to use a "refurbished" exchange hub if the is a example of what you could end up with.

Now waiting for bits and pieces to start rebuild, hopefully that will go OK

[milothedog]

Nearside shaft dismantled this morning, boy am I glad I decided to do these, this is the spacer taken out and next to it is a new one.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]34086[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]34087[/ATTACH]

And this is the bearing track

[ATTACH=CONFIG]34088[/ATTACH]

The hub that these parts came from was fitted as a rebuilt exchange hub 1,920 miles ago !! It makes you wonder about the quality of the parts used and the attention to refurbishing the hub assembly, I'm certainly glad I have decided not to use a "refurbished" exchange hub if the is a example of what you could end up with.

Now waiting for bits and pieces to start rebuild, hopefully that will go OK

Looks like it's got a bit warm in the past as well.

[thebadleys]

Sweated it off and it looks OK, no signs of overheating.

Thanks for the tools Ian, they have worked great, keep you posted

[milothedog]

Sweated it off and it looks OK, no signs of overheating.

Thanks for the tools Ian, they have worked great, keep you posted

I was referring to the discolouration of the remaining bit of bearing track still attached to the hub flange Nigel.

The credit for the support ring and thread protector should go to Steve (Muffin Man) though, he was kind enough to make them for me.

[thebadleys]

The discolouration may be caused by the break down of the track surface, I haven't found any swarf or other debris in the hub itself.

All parts now being washed and I am fitting grease nipples on the sliding joints as per Russ's (Kryten ) post.

Thanks Steve as well for your assistance

[thebadleys]

Well, hubs rebuilt, needed to visit scrap yard for a a piece of scaffolding tube to extend the spanners to tighten the adjusting nut and collapse the spacer, I think i'm getting a bit old for these jobs requiring brute strength !! 4 thou clearance, so happy with that.

Fitted new U/J's with greasers to the shafts along with new gaiters, refitted and off we go. What a difference, I didn't realise how bad they were, the car is transformed and the sliding splines on the shafts having been cleaned and repacked also add to the difference.

Very happy with the result, 51 mile test drive and smooth as silk, off to Anglesey tomorrow for a few days with the wife and dog, its first 125 direct run so I will check MPG .

Now next job, steering column overhaul, any tips ?