Front Bearing Issue

luvtheeluvbug · Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2015 10:01 pm Post subject: Front Bearing Issue

So I've done a disk brake conversion on both my daily '70 and my mom's dune buggy. I've been having a problem with adjusting the bearings because they are too loose when the wheels spin freely but they are much too stiff when I tighten them to take out the free play. I've tried setting them (tightening them as tight as it will go then backing it off) but that didn't really help. If I tighten them just to where the free play is taken out, will the bearings "seat" themselves after a little driving? I've already had bearing blow up on me once, so I'd rather not over tighten again.
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Fahrvergnugen/ far-fair-gnu-ghen/ Description of a pleasurable sensation experienced when a car and it's driver are in mutual harmony; A unique driving experience; Pleasure; Satisfaction; A feeling experienced by Volkswagen drivers.

Hnoroian · Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2015 10:56 pm Post subject:

Sounds like you may have the wrong bearings or may have forgotten the races when putting them in.
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Stupid people do stupid things.

Rene v · Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2015 6:36 am Post subject:

Some things to check do you have races in deep enough they should go in until land on a shoulder or step both sides. Did you pack them with grease? Tighten the nut until it stops not over kill tight. Then back off until the hole lines up with a slot in the castle nut then put in the cotter pin. Also make sure nothing else is making them bind up like rotors hitting something on the inside. If this is what you are doing then I would guess it is the wrong bearing. The bearings will not seat themselves.
Good luck Rene

Dale M. · Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2015 6:37 am Post subject:

What do you consider free play. You can actually have them a little "loose" and still be ok.... With wheel on you should be able to grasp wheel at top and bottom and have the slightest bit of detectable movement...

If you are using castle nuts you can back off the nut from to tight to next hole where you can easily insert cotter pin...

Dale
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“Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns"
"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
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All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ...

luvtheeluvbug · Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2015 8:16 am Post subject:

The first time around, I put the used German bearings (including the races) in the new disk brake kit because they had very few miles on them; it was too loose. So then, I put the new bearings and races that came with the kit in and got the same result. Yes, the races are in all the way, the bearings are greased and I am using the clamp nut with the allen screw. Someone told me to just tighten it to exactly the point at which there is no looseness and the bearings will wear in. I guess I'll go for a short drive and then touch the dust cap to see if it has heated up...
_________________
Fahrvergnugen/ far-fair-gnu-ghen/ Description of a pleasurable sensation experienced when a car and it's driver are in mutual harmony; A unique driving experience; Pleasure; Satisfaction; A feeling experienced by Volkswagen drivers.

Dale M. · Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2015 9:28 am Post subject:

luvtheeluvbug · Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2015 9:41 am Post subject:

I am at a loss as to what to do. When putting brand new bearings in, shouldn't the wheel be able to spin freely without free play? I simply assembled all the parts of the kit that I ordered.
_________________
Fahrvergnugen/ far-fair-gnu-ghen/ Description of a pleasurable sensation experienced when a car and it's driver are in mutual harmony; A unique driving experience; Pleasure; Satisfaction; A feeling experienced by Volkswagen drivers.

manxdavid · Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2015 2:19 pm Post subject:

Try the inner race of the inner bearing on the spindle. Is it a neat fit or a loose fit? VW changed the i.d. of the inner race in around '68 and it's common to be supplied with the wrong size.

luvtheeluvbug · Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2015 7:17 pm Post subject:

Dale M. · Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2015 6:31 am Post subject:

Just for giggles, do you also have the spacer on spindle behind inner bearing if front suspension is king & link...

http://www2.cip1.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=111-405-631-B

Believe year of change was 66 (ball joint front end) and 66 and later does not have spacer ... IF you have king & link your front end is 65 or older...

For bearing size you need to use calipers or micrometer and measure diameter of main part of spindle where bearing seats, early spindle is 25mm (+/-) and takes a 25mm ID bearing and later spindle is 29mm (+/-) and takes a 29mm ID bearing...

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VWC-311-405-625-DGR

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VWC-111-405-627-GR
(Above is for reference only...)

Also I think there was a change in front seal in 68, not sure what it was, but that could also be a issue...

As for bearing free play, you tighten clamp nut till wheel becomes stiff and does not spin freely and them back off clamp nut 1/6 to 1/8 turn and tighten clamp....

Dale
_________________
“Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns"
"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
============================================================
All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ...

manxdavid · Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2015 10:34 am Post subject:


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