In concept, the inner race of the bearings form one complete tube along with the other bits mounted onto the axle, tightening should clamp all those elements tight together in one continuous load path.
In production reality and tolerancing, the bearing "seats" in the wheel casting and the bearing spacer length would have to be very accurate OR individually shimmed to get an exact match once torque is applied at assembly.
What the common design does is to to use one reference bearing (usually the chain side on rear, often left side on front) to fully fix the outer race hard against it's hub shoulder, then retainer ring to keep it from moving.
The opposite side is usually left with some space between outer track and wheel shoulder, this to effectively "float" in the wheel axialy. That can then be used for tolerance of the assembly comprising of primary bearing, spacers etc. Not too critical in other words, the primary bearing controlling lateral location.
It SHOULD turn freely when all tightened, but will accommodate some bearing preload if need be (that would mean spacer total was less than the two hub shoulder in dimensions) with any significant drag being cause for concern and a look at just what components and their placing is doing in there.
If the rear wheel was tightened with no brake drag and no chain fitted, then likely you'd feel some small shift in rotation with anything significant causing more concern. They should spin reasonably easily, but not like a bicycle wheel does
It's odd to describe and sounds like a "fudge" to say so, but unlike setting a bearing arrangement for preloaded by measuring turning torque etc, these are just meant to be assembled, correctly, with no real methods except assuring the right parts are used and in the right place.
Judgement would give that any significant changes as it's tightened should raise questions, as Ted's done, then investigating exactly how the various parts are installed to try and make absolutely sure all is in the right orientation.
Bit long winded, but difficult to describe in a different way,, possibly
Recent Posts