Rear Hub (wheel) Play - New Bearing~!?!

goldgunner · 06-30-2006, 06:52 AM

I've assembled past this :http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/290828-theory-practice-rear-wheel-bearing-races-hubs.html#post2675152

to installing the rear hubs (after the ebrake assembly, etc.).

On the right side I have what appears to be a signifcant amount of play vertically - top to bottom - of about 1/16". This seems huge to me. No play side to side.

The left side has essentially no play in any direction.

These new rear bearings were installed into the arms by my local machine shop - who should know what they were doing...

What do I have here? 'Normal and acceptable' play?
Or, rear bearing defect? Installation error? Ovoid housing?

Help!
Jim

goldgunner · 06-30-2006, 07:08 AM

Hmmm...Tried to actually measure this top to bottom play.
Best efforts get result of maximum .012" - not the 1/6" (.062) that it feels and looks like.

Still, this is way more than side to side play, and way more than the left rear any direction.

Thoughts?

goldgunner · 06-30-2006, 08:57 AM

Just put in the stub axel and torqued to spec...verticle play is still there.

Question recap, please:

What do I have here? 'Normal and acceptable' play?
Or, rear bearing defect? Installation error? Ovoid housing?

goldgunner · 06-30-2006, 05:25 PM

Well...My search on this subject comes up with 2 or 3 identical or near identical situations.

None have conclusions or resolutions.

So, no takers for theories?

Is my only recourse to try to stump the chumps - the tappet brothers maliachi?

Am I destined (and doomed) for disassembly, new bearing purchase and installation?

Zeke · 06-30-2006, 06:24 PM

OK, you are asking for theories at this point. You weren't there to observe the installation, so anything could have happened. Sounds to me like #3, installation error. No perceptable up and down play is acceptable. I don't think that bearing will last very long.

You say the bearings were installed by the local machine shop "who should know what they were donig."

Who says? Did they freeze the bearing and heat the arm? If one presses on the wrong part, it's game over for the bearing. You can push the thing apart. Ask me how I know (back in my 914 days

).

goldgunner · 06-30-2006, 06:28 PM

Dollar to a dime they did not 'freeze the bearing and heat the arm' - although I was not there at the machine shop to observe the installation.

I've seen this freeze and heat reference before: is this the ONLY way?
A controlled, aligned and accurate press job - on the right area of the bearing: shouldn't that also work?

Zeke · 06-30-2006, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by goldgunner
Dollar to a dime they did not 'freeze the bearing and heat the arm' - although I was not there at the machine shop to observe the installation.

I've seen this freeze and heat reference before: is this the ONLY way?
A controlled, aligned and accurate press job - on the right area of the bearing: shouldn't that also work?

No, it's not the only way and yes. But you wanted a theory, so I gave you one based on my own experience.

goldgunner · 06-30-2006, 07:18 PM

I did indeed - and I very much appreciate your input and experience.
Regardless of how, the installation of the bearing must have been bogused and bad. With your take on it, I'll begin the tear out to try another bearing installation.
THanks, Milt

84toy · 06-30-2006, 07:22 PM

One thing is for sure. It's not right. You should not have any play after it is assembled. They should both be like the left side. Reason why? Can't tell from here.

goldgunner · 07-07-2006, 02:45 PM

After action report:

(Another) new bearing installed
Result: No wobble, No slop - Success~!

thanks all,
Jim

Elombard · 07-07-2006, 03:48 PM

Did you do the install this time? Any idea what happened?

goldgunner · 07-07-2006, 04:21 PM

Yes - I did the install this time with the big bearing removal - installation tool. I had the tool before but the machine shop was doing a variety of other work for me at the time, so it made sense to me to have them to the bearing installation as well.

After ensuring that the tool was as absolutely aligned as I could get it, the bearing easily pushed in. In fact, it went so smooth and easy, and without having a previous experience to compare it to, it almost felt like it went in too easily. Anyway, it slid in well and seated well.

After the e-brake bracket and reinforcing plate, I used the same tool to push in the wheel stub hub. Same drill: ensured alignment and it cranked right in. Perhaps with a little more resistance than the bearing did into the banana arm.

I followed with the internal cv splined nut shaft and torqued the castle nut up and - wallah - no wobble or slop in any direction or plane.

According to Milt above, it could only have been the shop's installation that somehow got the bearing 'damaged'. I can only guess that means that one or more of either the end seals or internal ball cages was slightly misaligned. I don't have any other concept on what else it could be. Both new bearings were SKF, and I doubt a bearing defect.

Elombard · 07-07-2006, 06:02 PM

Interesting, I am about to attempt this for th first time and was curious. I dont suppose you would rent me the tool for a week?

goldgunner · 07-07-2006, 06:05 PM

Loan yes, rent no.

PM me with your shipping address and I'll ship on Monday.