front wheel hub

aermotor

Well-known member
End of a long day and went to install a front hub after redoing the kingpins. No matter how much I torqued the axle nut I could not get the hub to "lock" down, even added and extra washer - didn't help. What's going on?

John
 
I guess I don't what 'lock' down means. Do the bearings slide all the way on the spindle easily as they should ? The castleated axle nut is used to hold the hub in place and adjust the bearings. You may damage the bearings by tightening them too much.
 
I guess I don't what 'lock' down means. Do the bearings slide all the way on the spindle easily as they should ? The castleated axle nut is used to hold the hub in place and adjust the bearings. You may damage the bearings by tightening them too much.

I have always pre-loaded the bearings until the hub would not turn by hand then back off to loosen until they turn easy, then adjust.

John
 
I only turn the nut tight enough to know the bearings are in place, then I spin the drum, then loosen the nut and tighten it just enough to remove the slack. This is no tighter than if a 12" adjustable wrench was on the nut in the 3 o'clock position.
 
I've had the same thing happen (for the first time ever) on one side, so I'll be curious about possible explanations.
 
Verification of inside diameter(s) of drum vs. verification of outside diameter(s) of brake shoes may be something to check.

Note the (s) on both diameters .... which translates into inner and outer diameters if drum or shoes are worn more on the outer or inner surfaces.
 
Verification of inside diameter(s) of drum vs. verification of outside diameter(s) of brake shoes may be something to check.

Note the (s) on both diameters .... which translates into inner and outer diameters if drum or shoes are worn more on the outer or inner surfaces.

Even tried with the shoes off - same thing. John
 
You've answered the other questions, how about my first one ?

Problem solved. Wrong bearings and races. The inner bearing was riding on the spindle as it should, however, with the wrong bearing and race the race rode on the grease deflector.

John
 
Problem solved. Wrong bearings and races. The inner bearing was riding on the spindle as it should, however, with the wrong bearing and race the race rode on the grease deflector.

John





Hmm, I'll be darned. Well, good. At least its fixed.
 
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