Front hub bearings

[DomP]

When replacing bearings in a 550 front hub are they pressed in to place in the same order as on the rear, so retainer side first then the right side (non retainer side) until it just contacts the spacer?

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

When replacing bearings in a 550 front hub are they pressed in to place in the same order as on the rear, so retainer side first then the right side (non retainer side) until it just contacts the spacer?

Now I am confused I thought it was fixed side first ?

[DomP]

I think Ted the idea is that the retainer clamps the outer race of the bearing against the base of the left recess then the right bearing is drifted in until the inner race touches the spacer.  This is to account for tolerances in manufacturing...I think

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I meant the retainer side last, as you tighten the retainer it pushes the spacer out against the right side bearing?

[DomP]

But that would leave the bearings able to shift sideways if not tight up against the bottom of the bearing recess

[DomP]

I could be wrong, but that's how I was told the rear goes together.

Where's Bryan?😀

[Bryanj]

I always fit the fixed side first up to shoulderthen spacer and other side

[DomP]

I always fit the fixed side first up to shoulderthen spacer and other side

Oh so opposite to the rear hub method Bryan?

[DomP]

I can't see how it can be any other way than retainer first, the otherside has no positive place to set a bearing to.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

But that would leave the bearings able to shift sideways if not tight up against the bottom of the bearing recess

I thought the wheel axle spacers do that - if the floating bearing is right up against the shoulder when you fit the hub inside spacer as you tighten up the lock ring on the other fixed side bearing that will push the inside spacer up against the floating  bearing. A sort of pre-load before the axle outside spacers are pushed in as you tighten the axle nut.

In truth it might work either way, if Bryan says fixed first then OK - can't remember if this is covered in the Haynes Manual.

[DomP]

I've assembled the hub tonight, with bearings and spacer fitted it ends up flush on the right side in order that the retainer presses the left bearing up to its seat.  As I recall that's how it was when I disassembled it

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I've assembled the hub tonight, with bearings and spacer fitted it ends up flush on the right side in order that the retainer presses the left bearing up to its seat.  As I recall that's how it was when I disassembled it

Is that front or rear wheel Dom?

[Bryanj]

If you put pre load on single race ball bearings they dont last long.
I dissagree with regreasing them cos the only way to get them out is to hit the inner race to move the outer and that will damage both the races and the balls, remember only hit the race that is a tight fit

[DomP]

I've assembled the hub tonight, with bearings and spacer fitted it ends up flush on the right side in order that the retainer presses the left bearing up to its seat.  As I recall that's how it was when I disassembled it

Is that front or rear wheel Dom?

Front Ted

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I've assembled the hub tonight, with bearings and spacer fitted it ends up flush on the right side in order that the retainer presses the left bearing up to its seat.  As I recall that's how it was when I disassembled it

Is that front or rear wheel Dom?

Front Ted

That's how I did mine on my 400 Dom.