Rear Wheel Bearings

[ndevans]

Should there be any play? Last couple I have fitted have had a small amount of play when fitted. Is that right?

[svenedin]

I'll be interested to hear. I fitted FAG bearings at the rear from ESM just before Minors on Tour to France. They came as a kit with the correct (very thin) thickness half shaft gasket. There was no play after fitting and no play today when I checked before adjusting the brakes. Phil has explained previously that the correct thickness of gasket is very important to set the preload on the bearing and he also explained how to measure what thickness is needed. As I recall, there is no torque spec for the rear hub nut but I did mine up pretty tight. On the other hand, I did find some play in a front wheel bearing and there is not supposed to be play there. It was absolutely minimal and was eliminated by slight tightening of the hub nut.

Stephen

[ndevans]

Maybe I just had a duff batch? Mine are FAG from ESM as well.

[philthehill]

If you have C3 bearings you will have play. If the bearing are C3 they will be stamped/marked C3.
C3 bearings have more clearance so resulting in the ability to generate play.
The main thing is that when the half shaft is fitted do you have noticeable play i.e. the ability to rock the wheel ?
Latterly UNIPART were supplying C3 bearings for the Minor - therefore if you have C3 bearings and there is no serious play I would fit.

[ndevans]

Thanks Phil, I think I have C3 type.

O/S hub was very tight on the axle, so tight that the bearing (new bearing pressed in by local garage) pushed out as I pushed the hub onto the axle. Does this mean the hub is worn and I need a new one?

Cheers N

[philthehill]

Firstly try cleaning up the bearing carrier part/tube of the axle. The bearing should be a firm push onto the bearing carrier part of the axle tube.

[ndevans]

Thanks, will do. Looked clean last night but that was only after a quick rub down with a rag.
I guess I can use bearing cement to hold the bearing in place if it is a bit loose in the hub?

[philthehill]

To me the problem lies with the axle tube not the hub.
You can use bearing loc if required but I would use it only as a last resort.

[jaekl]

The nut will provide additional resistance to rotation as well as the weight of the vehicle. A light press fit has tolerances and sometimes they stack so there is a very light fit.

[ndevans]

I cleaned the axle with a Scotchbrite equivalent and the hub slid on with some gentle taps with the hammer. I used the hub nut to drive it home the last little bit. I pressed the bearing out, cleaned it all up then used a bit of bearing cement before I pressed the bearing home in the hub. All seems ok, the half shaft was a little tight on the new studs (the garage has fitted 4 new studs for me as well-I couldn't press then home), it needed tapping home with a hammer, but all back together ok now.