new front wheel bearing issues

darth dino · #1 (**permalink**) 10-29-2006, 01:30 PM

has anyone else here had problems fitting new replacement front wheel bearings ( 73 GTV )

assuming everything was OK, i installed the bearings in the hubs. when i went to install the front disc, it would not go on. so i grabbed the second disc, and it went on no problem. i figured it was a software malfunction ( me ) and ordered a new one. before installation, i tried a trial fit - no go !!

I ordered one from a different supplier, and explained the problem. alas, the one i received was also too small . . . #*$@#** !!!!

from the usual suppliers, 3 out of 4 front inner bearings have been .001" smaller ID than the OD of the axle stub

the inner part of the front axle measures 1.181" OD
the ID of 3 of the bearings measures 1.180"

does anyone know of a bad batch from SKF ?

the first supplier i tried was Centerline. after i found the problem they suggested going straight to the manufacturer.
anyone know of a easy place to obtain one the correct size, first time ( without all the trial & error ) ??

**ghnl** · #2 (**permalink**) 10-29-2006, 03:28 PM

If you have the original bearings (the one that did fit), take them to a bearing supply store. You can find them in any medium to large city - look in the Yellow Pages. They'll measure the old bearing and find you one that fits. (Better buy two...)

darth dino · #3 (**permalink**) 10-29-2006, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghnl

If you have the original bearings

Elio Comello · #4 (**permalink**) 10-29-2006, 07:00 PM

Now don't be sarcastic.

You will find that SKF premium, #30206 J2/Q (inner, Large bearing)
and #32303 J2(outer small bearing) will do real fine.

The rear wheel bearings are SKF BR88107 CRC

These are the generic bearing #'s, my originals were FAG, I prefer the SKF

Don't forget the grease seals!

TTFN Elio

**papajam** · #5 (**permalink**) 10-29-2006, 07:02 PM

Dumb question but is there a nick or burr in the spindle preventing the bearing from going on? Will the bearing from the side that went together fit on the side that won't go together?

darth dino · #6 (**permalink**) 10-29-2006, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elio Comello

Now don't be sarcastic.

You will find that SKF premium, #30206 J2/Q (inner, Large bearing) will do real fine

Don't forget the grease seals!

**ghnl** · #7 (**permalink**) 10-30-2006, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darth dino

HaHaHaHaHaHaHa !!! that's a good one

i never foresaw the problem, and old ones were long gone by the time i tried installing the hubs/discs.

darth dino · #8 (**permalink**) 10-30-2006, 01:12 PM

Well it does appear that one axle shaft was thicker than the other. But i still have some bearings that do not fit over the smaller OD axle.

on carefull examination, the thicker axle shaft had what looks like miniscule corrosion pitting. it does not look like galling.

after light filing of the pitting, i was able to get the SKF bearing to snugly fit only when aligned exactly right.
the smaller OD axle is perfectly machined smooth.

Does anyone think this slight hand filing will pose problems

eric,

i too, hold onto old parts. often long after replacements have been installed. you should see all the old bicycle parts i have stowed away ! i use the excuse : "there is still a little life left in this, i'll hold onto it as a spare . . . "

the old ( possibly VERY old ) bearings were so greasy, smelly, and overall nasty, that i was impulsed to get them as far away from me as possible

**Wil Painter** · #9 (**permalink**) 10-30-2006, 01:14 PM

I have several posts on my experiences with this specific problem. Have had at least three occurences in the last few years. The old bearings slide on & off, the new (from Alfa vendors, who have always been cooperative) do not. Have gone to the local bearing house where the "new" bearings are checked out and meet published specifications, so we're dealing with fractional thousandths here. My solution has been to use a crocus tape and "shoe shine" the spindle over 360 degrees, testing regularly, until the bearing just slides on/off.
So Dion, you aren't going nuts; this is a real, frustrating, but easily fixable problem.
Good Luck
Wil Painter

**ghnl** · #10 (**permalink**) 10-30-2006, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wil Painter

So Dion, you aren't going nuts...

darth dino · #11 (**permalink**) 10-30-2006, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wil Painter

So Dion, you aren't going nuts

Spider Bill · #12 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 04:39 PM

Guys...when you say the bearing should slide on and off, does that mean all the way to the base of the axle spindle or just to the end of the taper? I just had a bear of a time removing an old one even though there was no sign of galling or corrosion once it was removed.

Also, here's my dumb question for the day (wife says you mean minute don't you babe

)...what's the black string (looks like suture material)around base of axle soindle and how does it work?

**Wil Painter** · #13 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 05:25 PM

Bill:
It should slide without force (but nice & snug) past the taper to the base of the spindle.
I'll take a shot at the black string you're describing as being a part of the seal that was beat up and left behind when you had to force the bearing off, as the forced removal typically destroys the seal. Or, if you had a failing bearing, the wobble pushed out a bit of the seal and the rotation wrapped it around the spindle and made it appear like a piece of string. Any other thoughts out there?
Wil