p.mole1 Posted February 27, 2021 Share Posted February 27, 2021 How much play should I have on my front wheel bearings. I have .05mm measured at the wheel rim. I am bit worried about tightening them up as I spun a bearing on a hub a few years ago. With the hub being aluminium would the clearances tighen when the hub heats up? If I use the next hole in the stub axle it seems a little on the tight side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom_Arundel Posted February 27, 2021 Share Posted February 27, 2021 There are 2 pin holes at 90degs.(vertical - horizontal) in the stub axle so you can go half a flat. 0.5mm is ok if you spin the wheel first. If it feels a bit `twitchy` go a half flat tighter. Have you greased the bearings recently? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p.mole1 Posted February 27, 2021 Author Share Posted February 27, 2021 Hi, Yes I have just re-greased them. I'm sure when tightened the hub nuts if I went to next hole I had zero play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanRo Posted February 27, 2021 Share Posted February 27, 2021 I have just re-greased mine and found the same in the near side wheel. There is either a tiny bit of vertical play in one hole or if tightened a single hole further the play disappears but there is slight resistance to spinning relative to the off side. I'm not sure which is the lesser evil either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted February 27, 2021 Share Posted February 27, 2021 My dad always said just perceptible. He had a work colleague (years ago) overtighten a taper roller bearing and it friction welded to the stub axle! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Long Posted February 27, 2021 Share Posted February 27, 2021 Modern bearings need a little preload to maximise their life. It also stops brake pad knock back and generally improves the feel of the car. Caterham at one time did suggest new bearings should have 8nm (that's not much, but a bit tighter than finger tight). On bearings that have been run, I would do a little less. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Geoff Brown Posted March 2, 2021 Area Representative Share Posted March 2, 2021 The info is all here: Front Hub - Lack of lubrication | Lotus Seven Club (lotus7.club)CC recommends that the nut should be pre loaded to 8lbs ft / 11Nm then back off the nut if required until the split pin lines up. Always spin the wheel several times to settle the bearings or potentially you could waste a split pin.This process can be a bit of a lottery as backing the nut off could produce too much play. Going further clockwise may appear to 'over tighten' but in some circumstances I have found that this is the only alternative. Realistically there should be no play or if any barely perceptible.If not set up properly further adjustment will be required after about 200 to 300 miles. The steering wheel shake will tell you ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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