Wheel Bearings haven't solved problem

[Richardthefish]

An MOT Advisary prompted me to replace the offside front wheel bearings which I did today using a replacement kit from ESM. Once back together the wheel still moves as if the bearing had gone.The inner and outer bearings can only go into the correct side of the hub assembly (as each is a different size so each fits from one end only) so there is no fault there. Is there a particular way each individual bearing should go into the hub assembly? The stud axle looked fine and itself does not turn, so should not wear.

I did notice that one of the bearing seemed to have some play between the inner and outer rims which I would not have thought was normal but I'm a bit of a novice at this and learning as I go along.

Any suggestions?

Many thanks,

Richard the Fish

[PSL184]

Are you sure its movement in the hub and not the trunions?

[aupickup]

raise the wheel off the grond and try to rock the wheel laft and right and up and down, if there is play then could still be bearings

the bearings need to go in with the thrust side to the spacer i beleive

also some bearings from suppliers are not that good

[chickenjohn]

Depends which garage you go to for the MOT, a little play on a classic car is not necessarily a worry. I changed the N/S wheel bearings on the traveller some years ago as they were grinding and definitely worn out (but minimal play).

Next MOT - different garage (sadly the previous chap I used to use retired), made me change the 1 year old 5,000 mile bearings for a new set as they said there was "play" and they failed the car. So I changed the bearings- new ones felt exactly the same as the previous set of 1 year old, 5,000 mile bearings. They passed the car this time. Bearings were fitted correctly each time and greased.

WTF??? (what the flippin heck?)

[linearaudio]

I had a feeling that this free movement in some new bearings had been mentioned before, and that some have had to fiddle things to make it work. I have had a totally separate, but same, problem with tapered wheel bearings on mowers in the past. Some makes of "identical" bearings do differ! Also had it on the rear swing arm of my old Citroen BX, which required the spacer tube shortening by .030" to remove play in new (Timken) bearings!

[bmcecosse]

Is this with standard hubs - or a disc brake set-up ? If standard hubs - try turning the bearings round - but the hub itself may be worn and the cause of the 'play'.

[jonathon]

It might not be the bearings at all. We have seen worn wheels where the wheel nuts have enlarged their seating, this allows them to tighten up onto the drum rather than the wheel. One thinks that they are tight, and indeed they may well be but the wheel is still loose. Worth a look

[bmcecosse]

Wow! Now that's a scary thought! I guess they would 'rattle' as it rolls along!

[jonathon]

Depends on how many nuts have gone through. But yes it is very scary, suppose the wheels are 40+ plus years old afterall

[eastona]

Is there a particular way each individual bearing should go into the hub assembly?

crikey yes! As aupickup says, make sure they are the correct way round, both bearings. If they are the incorrect way, tightening the hub nut actually creates play in the bearings, and ultimately the bearing is likely to disintegrate and the hub/drum and wheel can come off.

Been there, done that, don't recommend it it really ruins your day...and your brakes...and the upright...etc. etc.

If the hub is only slightly worn, going at it with a centre punch may be enough to hold the bearing tight. "Bearing fit" works wonders at holding it tight in the hub but is a complete pain to ever get the bearings out if you have to .

Andrew

[Richardthefish]

Thanks All - the problem was not realising that the bearings had to placed in the hun facing the correct direction so that they end up working as a pair. The inner race has one face wider than the other. The wider face must face outwards from the hub so that they do the right job when placed back on the wheel.

Now done correctly there is no play on the wheel.

Many thanks.

Richardthefish

[aupickup]

this is what we said anyway, the bearings do have a thrust face and this must be put the right way to the spacer