Rear Wheel Bearing

[keith.henige]

I removed the old 1964 transmission and axles in order to install a new (rebuilt) transmission that I purchased from a reputable parts dealer. So I am using the original axles with the new transmission. But I'm having trouble installing the rear bearings.

I'm not sure if I tapped the bearings onto the axle far enough. I noticed that when I pull outward on the axle, there seems to be some play, and the axle comes out a bit.

When I try to install the bearing cap, the bolts don't seem long enough. I have to push real hard to get the bolts to thread.

The bearings are new and made in Germany. (Well, they have Germany stamped on them.) Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Keith

[vdubmyk]

The bearing itself will bottom out but you stated you pulled the axle out and there is play there. Is it possible you pulled the axle out too much and the fulcrum plates are now shifted to where you can't get the axle all the way in?
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64 stock bug, 12V (converted 6v unit), 40 hp, all documents even sales contract and dealer window sticker!

[viiking]

The play in the axle in and out is normal.

Did you install the axle spacer correctly with the chamfer pointing inwards?
_________________
1968 1500 RHD Lotus White Beetle since birth. In the hospital for major surgery
1966 Lancia Flavia Pininfarina Coupe - in the waiting room
Discharged: 1983 Vanagon, 1974 1800 Microbus,1968 Low Light,1968 Type 3

[viiking]

Are you using the original tubes or did the new transmission have different tubes as there might be a difference.

Have a read of this post to see if there are any ideas from here

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=597158
_________________
1968 1500 RHD Lotus White Beetle since birth. In the hospital for major surgery
1966 Lancia Flavia Pininfarina Coupe - in the waiting room
Discharged: 1983 Vanagon, 1974 1800 Microbus,1968 Low Light,1968 Type 3

[keith.henige]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I'm using the original tubes and axles that came with the '64 car. I was wondering if swapping out the old transmission for a new rebuilt transmission would make a difference. The folks who built the transmission were told that the new transmission would be going into a '64 year car. But looking at the invoice, it appears that the new transmission is for a '68 or later model year.

I suppose I could have installed the spacer incorrectly. But I was aware that the chamfer on the spacer was to provide room for the small oil seal.

I was also considering using emery cloth on the axle in case a burr might be hanging up the bearings. I had to remove the axle from the transmission to remove one of the bearings. I thought using good quality bearings from Germany might prevent later problems.

[herbie1200]

I swapped 6V 5x205 lugs semi-axles into a modern 1200 12V 4-lugs transmission without any problem. It is possible.

[FeelthySanchez]

Another vote for 2 slipped fulcrum plates.
A tricky procedure to correct while the gearbox is in the vehicle, but here's what has worked for me.

Loosen trans from its mounts, raise it slightly & remove the axle tube.
Remove both fulcrum plates w/ a magnet & clean/dry 'em. Also clean all oil from the 2 radiused recesses in the side gear (where the 2 fulcrums ride).
Rotate the gearbox until the slot in the side gear is vertical - needs to be oriented per this pic.
Apply heavy grease onto the radiused faces only of the 2 fulcrums & insert them per this pic, holding both fulcrums slightly spread-open or angled (where the axle "spade" enters them) to ease insertion of the axle.
Dab a bit of gear oil on to the leading edges of the spade, & carefully insert it.
Then, wrestle the axle tube back into position & bolt it down.

Ignore the numbers, but pay attention to the slight angle shown here, this is the effect that helps:

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[67rustavenger]

It's gonna take allot of outward movement to let a fulcrum plate slip behind the axle spade.
It appears that your bearing is not far enough on the axle to get the cover plate on.
IIRC I used the handle of my floor jack to drive the bearing farther onto the axle. But a length of pipe that fits the inner race of the bearing will work too to drive the bearing onto the axle.
When the bearing is close to home. Place the cover over the axle and drive the bearing to the correct location on the axle.
Make sure that you install all the correct o-rings and seals to keep gear lube where it belongs.

Good Luck.
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I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!

There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!

[61SNRF]

[viiking]

[mukluk]

A couple pics to help with a visual on the inner spacer 61SNRF was talking about.

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1960 Ragtop w/Semaphores "Inga"

[keith.henige]

Success!

Many thanks for the helpful photo and information. Thankfully, I won't have to re-set the fulcrum plates. Though I was ready to.

I noticed from this diagram that the inner spacer should be flush with the bearing housing. Also, the axle didn't make any noise as I rotated the axle shaft as Viiking suggested. When I removed the bearings, I could see that the inner racer was flush as it should be.

So, I wet sanded the axle shaft with 800 and 1000 grit using the shoe lace trick. Then reassembled following the diagrams VERY carefully. The bearings were still tight, but went on much more smoothly. I listened for the change in pitch as I "tapped" on the bearings. This time I had no trouble bolting on the cover.

Still can't figure what I did wrong, but both bearings did not seem to be in far enough.

Thank you once again. This was my first question to the forum and this community is terrific!!

Keith

[viiking]

Good to hear your problem has been solved.

Yes, this forum is fantastic. We've all been in your situation and there are always forum people who have had your particular issue before AND are willing to give help.

I do encourage you to use the search function. I prefer to use the Google Custom search at the top of the page as it seems to give me a better search than just searching for particular words in the title. It just seems that you get answers to a lot of other questions when you search for a different problem and you just get to know your car so much better.

If after searching you don't get the answer, the by all means post the question as there are lots of permutations of particular problems.

Good luck with the rest of the build and keep another bug alive!
_________________
1968 1500 RHD Lotus White Beetle since birth. In the hospital for major surgery
1966 Lancia Flavia Pininfarina Coupe - in the waiting room
Discharged: 1983 Vanagon, 1974 1800 Microbus,1968 Low Light,1968 Type 3

[Joey]

No need to tap, pound, beat the bearing on to the axle. As mentioned above it's not good for the internal transmission parts. Install inner spacer, bearing then the drum. Carefully tighten the axle nut until it bottoms out (nut runs out of thread). Remove drum and install outter spacer and drum again then tighted all the way - the bearing is now fully seated on the axle.
_________________
Joey

‘60 Kombi - '74 Bus - '79 Panel - '65 Beetle

[keith.henige]

Thank you, Joey. I'll remember that trick next time.