Inner bearing won't fit on spindle??

cay-ahe · 08-21-2010, 10:27 AM

I can't figure out what is going on? I have a 1982 911SC that I've changed the bearings on the left front just fine. The right inner bearing won't slide on to the spindle. I have a spare and it will not fit either. I checked the part number listed by our host and I ordered the one listed for this car. What am I missing? It does not make sense that one side fits and the other does not? Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome.

Oh Haha · 10:41 AM

Did you freeze the bearing before installation? (If not, do it this way.)

The one that slid on probably has a bit more wear but as long as it doesn't rotate around the spindle you should be good.

cgarr · cgarr's Garage

It should not be a press fit, check the spindle for any burrs or nicks, it does not take much to screw up the fit. Is the bearing already in the hub or are you trying to just slide the bearing on?

ZOA NOM · ZOA NOM's Garage

definitely freeze it, and hit the spindle with a map torch momentarily just before you slide it on. Should do the trick. Inspect the spindle VERY closely for even the slightest burr before install.

cay-ahe · 08-21-2010, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cgarr

It should not be a press fit, check the spindle for any burrs or nicks, it does not take much to screw up the fit. Is the bearing already in the hub or are you trying to just slide the bearing on?

Both actually when I got the one on the hub stuck I checked my spare bearing and it did the same thing.

I looked at the spindle and felt around it but I will give another check.

Flieger · Flieger's Garage

If the bearing needs to fit over the spindle, don't you need to heat the bearing and cool the spindle?

ZOA NOM · ZOA NOM's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flieger

If the bearing needs to fit over the spindle, don't you need to heat the bearing and cool the spindle?

OOPS! you're right. I was thinking about my rear bearings. My bad.

cay-ahe · 08-21-2010, 10:51 AM

The spindle looks and feels fine. It is almost like these bearings are slightly off. I'm going to run some sand paper around the inner ring and see if that does anything. I have not heard of a bad batch of bearing.

There is no heating and cooling stuff going on here. This is the bearing that just slide on and off when you take you hub off to change rotors. This thing should be a good fit but slide right on.

WERK I · WERK I's Garage

Is the spindle discolored at all? Any signs of overheating, seizing?

cay-ahe · 08-21-2010, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WERK I

Is the spindle discolored at all? Any signs of overheating, seizing?

No, I was just doing this as preventative maintenance. I had no issues at all until I tried to install these new bearings. I will call Pelican on Monday to see if they have had other reports of fitment issues. FWIW I took off a FAG and am trying to install a SKF.

GaryR · GaryR's Garage

Never had to heat or cool front bearings (except when installing the races in the hub), they just slide right on..

cay-ahe · 08-21-2010, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryR

Never had to heat or cool front bearings (except when installing the races in the hub), they just slide right on..

Exactly.......

Oh Haha · 08-21-2010, 11:35 AM

Well, when the OP called the item the "inner" bearing I believed it to be the race/bearing combo. Sorry for the mispost.

GaryR · GaryR's Garage

Does it fit properly in the existing race (assume you didn't install the new matching races)? And if you did, was there an issue installing the races?

L8Brakr · 08-21-2010, 12:27 PM

I'm assuming you could re-install the bearing you took off; i.e. not damaged or distroyed. Measure the inner diameter of the removed bearing with a micrometer. Measure the new bearing looking for the same inner diameter. Measure several places around the circumference of the new mearing to make sure it's round. If everything measures out, it must fit. If not, you've confirmed the problem and can report the mis-sized new beaaring to our host.

pete3799 · pete3799's Garage

If the part #'s are the same as the old bearing they should slide on the spindle easily.
Is it possible that the spindle is different on that side?

cay-ahe · 08-21-2010, 01:30 PM

Gary - I did install the new race in the hub and I have a spare bearing/race in a box as well. Neither one fits. The bearing race combo seems normal and came out of the box looking good.

L8brakr - I ran out of time but that's the direction I'm heading. I was also going to try the hub bearing combo from the other side of the car to see if it slides on normally. I can't imagine anything is wrong with the spindle. I removed the old hub/bearing with ease and the car has been sitting on jack stands waiting for me to reinstall the new bearings/hub. I'll have to get into the dimension of these things and will report back.

Thank you for all the good thoughts and help.

cay-ahe · 08-21-2010, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pete3799

If the part #'s are the same as the old bearing they should slide on the spindle easily.
Is it possible that the spindle is different on that side?

Well, it is possible it has changed in some way but I need to get some dimensions to confirm what is going on. My first thought was I ordered the wrong bearing. It is such a close fit. I could probably heat it up and drive it on but then I'd be totally messed up when I had to remove it. That is, if the bearing wasn't messed up in the process.

James Brown · James Brown's Garage

Don't heat or cool anything. If the bearing race does not fit out of the box on a clean spindle, don't use it. If you ever get it all the way on (pounding, heat, cool, hydraulic, whatever) good luck removing it. You will destroy the inner bearing and grease seal at the least.

cay-ahe · 08-21-2010, 03:17 PM

Tell me about it. I had a hard enough time just taking this off after it didn't fit properly. Agreed 100%.