Help!!(again). Any suggestions as to the large gap between the inside of the remounted hub and the axle "body". I have replaced the inner wheel bearing and seal; from NAPA. Also replaced the outer bearing from NAPA. Looking at the picture the hub needs to slide on more to seal at the back of the oil seal. I don't have a micrometer to check the old vs. new sizes but the Na Na Na Napa kknow how guys puleed numbers from the old bearings. I did not attempt to replace the race due to no number being visible while still in place. I didn't want to wreck something I might not have been able to replace. So... I've tightened the BIG nut to draw it in and I've beat on the axle in place a bit; something a little more professional seems more in line. Any and all ideas are welcome. Thanks for looking. http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/...HousingGap.jpg

 

My swag would be the ID of the inside bearing is too small. Did you try the bearing over the axle housing prior to installing it and the seal in the hub? At this point, a bit of paint on the axle housing will give you an indication where and what is preventing the hub and bearing assembly from going 'home'.

 

I like the paint idea. I plan on taking the new bearings for the other side and the set of old bearings from the side I'm working on to NAPA and letting them mic them. So you agree that the bearing seal should touch the housing and close it off???

 

If you think the bearings may be holding you up, it would be easy enough to swap them for the old ones quick and see if it makes a difference. Were the old bearings bad? Or did you just want new ones for peace of mind? Chances are it's the seal that's not the same and is not seating on the spindle extension correctly.

 

Unless the seal is way to small ID it will feel soft as it contacts the premature stopping point. Easiest is to compare with the other side bearings. Good luck

 

Howdy,


I would try the old bearings but when I spec'd my bearings, they were ALL available either in Timken or equivalent. Exact replacements.

Also, I would replace the everything. Not just the tapered bearings....

They also didn't change them over several years. I'll bet my bearings and cups are the same as yours.