new struts- now wheel bearing issues??!!!

[jason2guy]

i installed new bilstein strut assmblys and i cant get the passenger side wheel bearing right. i have three different hubs and they all growl and shake. i dont want to screw up the new spindles. i checked the races w/a feeler guage to make sure they are fully seated. im starting to think that the spacer/seal race is on crooked or its bent or something. help

[pete3799]

The O ring and spacer need to be pressed on. Did you check the spacer with a feeler gauge?
If the spacer is tight against the strut it's on straight.
Measure how much spindle is exposed (end of spindle to lock nut) on the driver side and compare to the pass. side.
Sounds like you haven't got the wheel seal seated on the spacer.

[jason2guy]

i did check the spacer w/a feeler guage. i think i may have damaged it. removing it left deep marks on the back of the ring from the drift used to remove it, so i did a little cleanup on the back of it and that may have screwed up the dimension of the part. not sure- i ordered a new spacer, thrust washer and clamp nut, im hoping this will be it

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by pete3799

Measure how much spindle is exposed (end of spindle to lock nut) on the driver side and compare to the pass. side

Good idea. How simple is that?

[jason2guy]

ok- got the new spacer, washer and clamp nut on and it feels promising!! went for a test run and it was good. ill take it on the freeway 2nite and see for sure. after i got the spacer on and assembled everything the clamp nut did NOT go on as far as before. i was a little worried about that but it seems good. ill tell you what though- on the other side, with the new spindle and everything together it was actually hard to get play out of it. as soon as the nut was up against the washer there was no play what so ever and the washer was very easy to move. on this side that i worked on today there is a minute amount of play with the washer being easy to move

[DRACO A5OG]

If you need a second set of eyes for an opinion, pm me.

[jason2guy]

i will and thanks for that, thats kind of u. its been quite a frustrating problem, this wheel bearing issue. i was thinking about that yesterday- what if im doing something wrong and i dont realize it. going through all the motions by myself w/no one to tell me, hey dip**** why are u doing that?!
i think its actually fixed. my old spindles were so worn, so using any of those old parts w/new spindles is asking for trouble.

[DRACO A5OG]

Don't sweat it Brother, plus nice to have company, it gets lonely sometimes

Wait old part? What are you re-using?

[jason2guy]

that was the problem- i used the old spacer, washer and clamp nut. im not sure which one was the offender but one of those parts was bad.