i have just replaced my front wheel bearings,timken type ,i was told there maybe shims inside but there were none.having torqued the wheel up it doesnt run as free as it was,but i dont know if thats because its new bearings and grease,or should i put shims in ?i cant feel any play in the wheel.

dmh,

There should be the slightest amount of play in the wheel. There's a spec for it, I don't know it off the top of my head, but if your wheel is binding at all, you most likely need some shims.

Add shims until the wheel turns freely. Too loose and you're going to have handling problems. Too tight and you'll overheat the bearings.

There should have been at least one "stepped" shim in there. The axle should have (between the bearings) a long spacer, some shims, and then a small "stepped" shim/spacer that rides against one of the the inner races.

Is it possible that you have one of those adjustable spacers? They have a means to adjust the length so you don't need shims. Anyhow, if your wheel is binding to the point where you notice it, those bearings are going to run hot (or worse) and could lead to premature failure of the bearings. A little preload isn't the end of the world, but the bearings should be as close to "neutral" load as possible.

dmh,

There should be the slightest amount of play in the wheel. There's a spec for it, I don't know it off the top of my head, but if your wheel is binding at all, you most likely need some shims.

Add shims until the wheel turns freely. Too loose and you're going to have handling problems. Too tight and you'll overheat the bearings.

There should have been at least one "stepped" shim in there. The axle should have (between the bearings) a long spacer, some shims, and then a small "stepped" shim/spacer that rides against one of the the inner races.

Is it possible that you have one of those adjustable spacers? They have a means to adjust the length so you don't need shims. Anyhow, if your wheel is binding to the point where you notice it, those bearings are going to run hot (or worse) and could lead to premature failure of the bearings. A little preload isn't the end of the world, but the bearings should be as close to "neutral" load as possible.
there were definitely no shims so your right i do need to add some to bring some play in,does it make any difference what side to add the shims ?

sounds like the shims have been lost along the way...


there should be a tube and a stepped washer.... the small step of the washer goes to the bearing so it contacts the innner race



you should have about 0.004" - 0.008" end play from memory......(someone will probably chime in a confirm that.....those figures are probably a bit on the lose side as we ride hard in hot weather)

As Cleger said .. too much or not enough isn't good...... I have an axle in the workshop here that the bearing seized on at speed because the customer didn't have the clearance correct


do you have access to a manual as it will show you how to do it....

i have a manual for my 01 but not my 93 but i hear what your saying and will take care to get it right.the previous owner must have taken the shims out as the bearing wore.thankyou ,does it matter what side i put the shims ?

no doesn't matter which side.......



if ya can't get hold of a manual let me know and I'll do a walk thru.....

thanks alot ,i will let you know.

it depends on the year
early 91= .004-.018
late 91= .002-.006
2000= <.002
did you properly torque the axle nut?
needs to be measured with a dial indicator.

yeah i torqued to 50 ft pounds