New wheel bearings have play

[Nax]

1971 minor

Just fitted new wheel angular type wheel bearings (not tapered) from ESM , with the hub nut torqued to 55 fp and the shoulder of the bearings facing each other and spacer cone fitted correctly
The hub has a lot of play and a small amount of movement along the stub axle, if I pull the hub as if I was going to remove it from the stub axle
it all tightens up nicely with no play.
I read a lot about shims and reducing the length of the cone but I'm still not sure of the best option
Your advice would be much appreciated

[philthehill]

My recommendation is to take 0.10" off the bearing spacer and go from there.
Not all factory made bearing spacers are the same length and even swopping from side to side can cure the problem.
The front hub bearings should be assembled as per the schematic below.

Front Hub Bearings v2.JPG (28.14 KiB) Viewed 3250 times

[oliver90owner]

I would like to know of the improvements of angular bearings over the well tried and tested taper rollers - which have been fitted and used successfully for so many decades.

Appears to me to be a cheaper, less effective and non-adjustable (after careful adjustment of the bearing separation, at time of installation).

I would never even consider changing from the historic taper roller bearing - unless perhaps if I were racing the vehicle - and needed to minimise bearing friction at the cost of longevity.

[Nax]

The angular bearings are the standard for a morris minor, Tapered bearings are the expensive upgrade

[les]

I’ve just replace a bearing set with Timkin taper, although not on a Minor and yes they are expensive, I think made in France.

[Nax]

Yes I'm trying to keep the costs down at the moment I've only had it a couple of months and theirs loads to do on it.

[les]

I understand that, the cost can mount up, good quality stuff is the main thing. I imagine what you bought from ESM fits the bill.

[Nax]

Yes ESM wheel bearings fitted perfectly, I took 10 thou of the cone as suggested, re fitted the bearings and hub torqued the nut to 55 fp
The hub rotates smoothly with zero axial movement
Perfect!
Thanks for all advice.

[philthehill]

Well done