my backing plates are loose on my axle tubes

[volksaddict]

My 4 bolt brake cylinder type backing plates wiggle on the axle tubes. There is play like the bearing housings don't clamp down tight enough, and you can rotate them slightly, like if you hit the brakes they will move a little. the 4 slots for the bearing housing bolts don't look worn, but don't seem like they fit as tight as the holes in the backing plates on the "newer" 60's models I'm used to. Is this a usual problem on the slotted backing plates? Got any ideas? I was thinking that if I shimmed the backing plates to make them thicker it would help, but eventually they would work themselves loose again. Again, I don't see any signs of wear on the backing plates around the holes but there is play. Anyone else find this on the early backing plates?

[volksaddict]

Thanks for all the help! So I think I've figured out the early bearings must be thinner than the later (58+- and beyond) ones. The bearing cap has a smaller relief for the bearing than the later ones, they are deeper. Some goober has replaced the bearings with later ones on my project. At least that's what I'm going with...

[sgmalt46]

i think the bearings are the same all the way to 68? i think you have the wrong bearing cap. there are three different one's i know of. early to 66/ 67 only/ and 68 only ? i've run into that problem before.

steve

[volksaddict]

I put a set of early 60's bearings and matching caps on it and all is well now. The caps have the little circle cast into the bottom of the housing that the lower brake return spring fits in. The ones I removed don't have that. Another set I pulled from parts have the casting for the oil drain hole in the bottom - later 60's. All 3 of the mentioned have different recesses for the bearing. What I got works.
Anyone remember if their early (50's) bearing caps have that ring cast in the bottom that the spring rides in, or are they smooth?

[nlorntson]

Maybe this post will shed some light

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1927160&highlight=#1927160

[volksaddict]

Thanks man, glad to know someone has been there before me. You had the same situation I had. Your "deep" bearing housing is the one I used, late 50's early 60's. I bet it's a early -late thing, circa late 50's. Haven't checked the numbers yet but I bet my trans was swapped for a late 50's one and they tried to use the old backing plates and bearing caps.