Wheel bearing play - dial indicator technique

[rcroane]

Hi folks,

First time using a dial indicator to check front wheel bearing play and I wanted to confirm that my method is correct. I jacked up front and set tip of dial indicator in the center of the grease bearing cap. I did not remove the wheel. Adjusted the dial to 0 in the resting position. When I rock the tire at 6 and 12, I get movement of .003 on the dial indicator.

Sound about right (method and reading)?

Thanks.
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'65 Sunroof Bug

[TDCTDI]

A dial indicator for wheel bearing play is rather OCD at best.



Tighten the nut until you can't feel a "clunk" when rocking the wheel back & forth, then try prying the washer between the bearing & the nut back & forth, you should be able to get it to shift a bit, then lock it down.
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[61SNRF]

65 Beetle?
Are your wheel bearings original ball bearing style or have you upgraded to tapered rollers?
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-Bruce

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[rcroane]

I anchored the dial indicator to my floor jack, so only the needle is making contact with the wheel.

Bearings are tapered style.

Also, I have 356 brakes if that makes any difference.
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'65 Sunroof Bug

[TDCTDI]

[wdfifteen]

Tapered roller bearings and ball bearings take different tightening techniques. Tapered rollers want a little bit of pre-load. I tighten them just until there is no axial movement of the hub.
Ball bearings need to be looser. Use a screwdriver to slide the washer around under the nut and tighten the nut until you can feel some drag on the washer. This may allow a little axial movement.

[rcroane]

[rcroane]

[61SNRF]

[bluebus86]

the tightening method in many of the books tells one to make them tight enough to just be able to move the washer with a screw driver twist. It would be interesting to find out how much play that equates to with an indicator. Id think the indicator must be attached to the spindle so eliminate false readings from play in the suspension bits.

Bug On! Spinning Free!
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[chrisflstf]

If you use a screwdriver to see if the thrust washer moves, don't stick it in too far or you will catch the cage of the bearing and bend it

[viiking]

I don't have your model Bentley, but have one for 66-69. It shows a five stud wheel in the picture so maybe it will suit your model. I don't think it is any more OCD than getting the oil clearance in the big ends right when rebuilding a motor. A measurement is better than any guess.

The axial play of the front bearings is to be .001-.005" (.03-0.12mm) for my model. I'm sure someone else may have a Bentley for your model and can help.

They measure it slightly differently using a VW tool. The dial gauge is screwed into one of the wheel nut holes and the measuring end is touching the adjusting nut clamp. This will give a smaller reading than when measuring say to the rim edge.

So yes I am sure there is a reading for measuring the play, but it may not be the way you are measuring. In any case you should not be measuring to the grease cap. This will not be round and will give you false readings.
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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

[KTPhil]

[rcroane]

Thanks for all the replies. I'll go ahead and check using the washer method and also use the dial indicator, but this time I'll remove the grease cap.

I actually think everything is adjusted ok....I was just checking things out before spring.
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'65 Sunroof Bug

[Dangermouse]

[wdfifteen]

[quote="61SNRF"]

[ZEKE65]

Ball bearings need some preload. None of the tapered roller wheel bearings I have installed over the years has ever been specified to have preload. You tighten them up to make sure they are seated, then back them off and tighten by hand so there is near zero clearance but no preload.
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1965 VW Sedan, 1968 C10 Step BB, 99 C5

[bnam]