Strange Deformation on Front Wheel Bearings, WHY???

[DRACO A5OG]

Okay Fellas,

Happy Christmas and Merry Haunnukkah to all!

So I wanted to adjust my bearings today then "self" said hey re-pack the suckas since you have the fancy re-packing tool, you rarely use. ( I need stop talking to myself )

Okay, took out P-side, Doh! Some of the bearings are gouged . Well, time for a set of new bearings Bye Bye $50, That was fine until I went to the D-side.

Same rusty grease as expected and anticipated gouged bearings. Nope smooth as it should be but wait a minute.

WTD?




(bent at 2:30)

How the heck does this happen? I thought Nippon Steel was the best, I guess not.

No, the allen lock bolt was not loose and torqued to 11ft lbs. Anyone else experience this when all is/was snug?

[tirwin]

Shoosh! No idea but now I want to see how the mystery unravels!

[DRACO A5OG]

Well, PSA: Don't just re-adjust the bearings, remove, inspect and or re-pack them.

[cmonref]

Looks like you pushed against the bearing cage when you checked the tightness of the washer with a screwdriver.

[DRACO A5OG]

Nope, I use a different technique via Johnson Alignment which does not require the screw driver technique check washer technique.

[Oneredspyder]

Who knows, some one may have dropped it on the floor, did not notice, put it in the car. Who knows, the bearing can not talk. Replace it and put it in very carefully. I always thought the screwdriver idea was a little nuts. Tighten it, back off, check it. Check it again in 100 miles. Move on to the next project, lord knows there are many.
My guess is that it was dropped on the floor.
86 Carrara
66 Healey 3000
74 Motto Guzzi
74 Norton Commando 850 sold with a score of Alfas and British and German iron.

[Jameel]

Im doing this on my 83 this week. Care to share the non-screwdriver technique?

[DRACO A5OG]

Johnson's Technique:

Loosen Allen Lock and Bearing Nut a 1/4 turn out
Remove Wheel Cap
Place wheel on hub with 3 lugs
Spin the wheel then at the same time use a BFS and tighten the Bearing Nut quickly
Loosen bearing nut
Do this several times to allow the bearing to seat. After third or fourth tightening, remove wheel
lock the allen
place hub cap on
Install the wheel, do the usual wobble check, wheel should rotate smoothly without binding

Yes, allot more work but my bearings stay snug longer.

[Jaskas]

Bloody hell. I have had similar dents in my bearings. I dont have any idea of the source

[DRACO A5OG]

I have replaced my bearings 4 times, this is the first time I have seen my bearing like this. Strange.

[fanaudical]

Is just the bottom lip of the cage bent? Any unusual wear on rollers or races? Any pitting?

[DRACO A5OG]

No pitting on bearings or race of the bent cage but the unbent does have pitting on both, crazy right?

[DRACO A5OG]

Lately fronts have been making the proverbial clicks on turns and last minute hard braking

[Rawknees'Turbo]

That's really weird, Draco, as I have never seen a bent cage on a wheel bearing (aircraft, car or motorcycle) that wasn't dropped on the ground or was in a hub that was mangled from a hard impact.

How does the bearing race in the hub look?

[DRACO A5OG]

The bent cage's race is perfectly smooth as far as I can tell but taking no chances replacing all tomorrow after will call from Pelicans :-)

[DRACO A5OG]

Just read SKF official website: LOL they are blaming me or the shipper/vendor for dropping it or using a hammer upon install or removal.

Funny, none of that happened and I always inspect prior install. But P-side it appears I needed more lube.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=8&ved=0ahUKEwj7sJjXzZXYAhUJllQKHYvHDPAQFghZMAc&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.skf.com%2Fbinary%2F81-64875%2F457975.pdf&usg=AOvVaw2PbzHZIDNhVZejk6qUEX6J

Page 47 "CAGE INSPECTION"

[proporsche]

Hi Draco.. i have been using thew screwdriver adjustments since 1985 never ever i had a problem with the adjustments after ...if you do it right....the bearing bent is from the vendor and believe me even sharp eye of yours could miss that;-)

Ivan

[Jameel]

Great reading in that SKF doc. Thanks for posting that Jim!

On your bearing setting procedure, can you elaborate on "Spin the wheel then at the same time use a BFS and tighten the Bearing Nut quickly".

What's a BFS?

[T77911S]

does the bearing still spin freely with the dent?

if so, I would suspect as said above it was put in that way, perhaps dropped.
if it spins, I would not worry about it.

[MBruns]

It was dropped in my opinion
Mike Bruns