The spacer keeps the bearing centers the proper distance apart. If you
remove it, you will reduce the ability for the bearings to counteract the
side loads on the wheel from cornering. I can provide more of the details
if anyone is interested.
M.D. Myers (Torrington needle bearing engineer by trade)
On Sat, 08 May 1999 17:56:21 -0400 Richard Shipman
<mbelect@mindspring.com> writes:
>>Date: Sat, 08 May 1999 17:53:36 -0400
>>To: "Steve Byers" <byers@cconnect.net>
>>From: Richard Shipman <mbelect@mindspring.com>
>>Subject: Re: Front Wheel Bearings...
>>Cc: spritgets@autox.team.net
>>
>>Hi Steve,
>>
>>I understand what you're saying, but if you remove the bearing spacer
>and
>put a *very* gentle pre-loading on the bearings, all the loading will
>automatically be on the thrust faces of said bearings. They are just
>being
>"pushed together" thrust face to thrust face...
>>
>>As far as tapered roller bearings go, I believe they are even more of
>a
>"directional" thrust bearing only more obviously so...
>>
>>Still a bit confused and not convinced the bearing spacer is really
>needed...
>>
>>
>>Richard
>>'74 MG Midget
>>'68 MGBGT
>>'58 Morris Minor
>>
>>
>>
>>At 05:02 PM 5/8/99 -0400, you wrote:
>>>Hi, Richard!
>>>
>>>The ball bearings used in the Spridget wheel are the type of
>bearings that
>>>can only take a thrust load in one direction. That is why the
>bearings are
>>>marked "thrust" on one side. If they are loaded in the other
>direction, it
>>>is very easy to push the cage and balls out of the race. The
>bearings are
>>>installed so that the "thrust" side of each bearing is facing the
>"thrust"
>>>side of the other bearing, with the spacer between. The purpose of
>the
>>>spacer is to transfer the load on one bearing that is in the
>"wrong"
>>>direction to the other bearing, which resists this load because it
>is being
>>>loaded in the "right" (thrust) direction, thereby keeping the cages
>and
>>>balls intact.
>>>
>>>Most cars use tapered roller bearings in the wheel, which do not
>have the
>>>"thrust" problem of the ball bearings, therefore do not need the
>spacer.
>>>
>>>The spacer does not add any strength to the axle, but if you are
>using the
>>>"thrust" ball bearings in the wheel, it should be there.
>>>
>>>Steve Byers
>>>Havelock, NC USA
>>>'73 Midget GAN5UD126009G "OO NINE"
>>>"It is better to remain silent, and be thought a fool
>>>than to speak, and remove all doubt" -- Mark Twain
>>>
>>>
>>>----------
>>>> From: Richard Shipman <mbelect@mindspring.com>
>>>> To: spridgets@autox.team.net
>>>> Subject: Front Wheel Bearings...
>>>> Date: Saturday, May 08, 1999 11:50 AM
>>>>
>>>> Greetings fellow spridgeteers!
>>>>
>>>> My name is Richard and I've been lurking on the list for awhile
>and have
>>>> found it both informative and entertaining. I am in the process
>of
>>>restoring
>>>> a 1974 MG Midget and have started on the front suspension. I have
>a
>>>question
>>>> about wheel bearings... the ball bearings look like new but when
>the hub
>>>is
>>>> assembled, there is always a small amount of wheel-rock present.
>I'm
>>>tempted
>>>> to remove the "bearing spacer" in the assembly and tighten the
>retaining
>>>nut
>>>> just until snug, then back off to the next nearest cotter pin
>hole
>>>position.
>>>> This I believe would allow me to adjust the play out of the
>assembly, but
>>>> leaves me with a bad feeling since I'm leaving out a part that
>the
>>>original
>>>> designers considered necessary. On the other hand, many other cars
>front
>>>> wheel bearings do not have this spacer. My apologies to the list
>if this
>>>> topic has been covered. Any and all advise is welcome.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks in advance
>>>>
>>>> Richard Shipman
>>>> '74 MG Midget
>>>> '68 MGBGT
>>>> '58 Morris Minor
>>>
>>
>
>
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