The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Problem with front hub intallation.

This may be a minor problem, but it worries me a little. I installed the passenger side hub with no problem, but the drivers side seemed like the nut did not want to go on far enough. All the races are seated correctly, but when I put the spindle nut on with the washer and torqued it to 33 ft/lbs like the manual says, the nut was not onto the spindle as far as the passenger side. I had to put in a smaller diameter cotter key in order for it to fit. Any ideas why it wouldn't go on as far? I did tighten the nut as much as possible and back off again and retorque, but it didn't help.

Hy Super55, double check that all the bearing races are fully seated, and make sure your spindle nuts are the same side to side. Did both sides have a dust shield at the back of the hub?

Bobb, they both have the dust shield and the nuts are the same. The difference may only be a quarter of a turn on the lock nut. It would probably line up, but would be too tight on the bearing.

55,
You've got the right on the left or left on the right.
I'm kidding. What was the situation when you took it apart ?
I would measure the length of the spindle and hub to see if they are different, plus the distance between bearing races. If everything on both sides is the same then go to step B.
I'll work on step B while you check that stuff.
Dan

When I took the wheels off I didn't notice any problems. I think the outer bearings might be the difference. I will check them later. If I recall I had to get them from two different sources. I have a third set of bearings, but they are not barrel roller bearings like the other two, it is a tapered roller. Wonder is I should try installing that one.

I took the drum off again and put in the original wheel bearing. I also took a look at the dust shield. It was a bit out of line with from the contact surface and shield itself. I tapped it with a hammer to line it up the best I could, and I still had to put in a 3/32 cotter pin instead of the 1/8th. I think I am going to have to live with that. The bearing feels good, wheel turns nicely.

Did you happen to notice if the washers are the same thickness?. Do you still have the cotter pin that you took out, perhaps it was smaller also.

Take the nut off, put it in a vise, and file the castle slots a little deeper. It's possible there's a burr, or just a manufacturing tolerance problem with one of the spindle nuts.
Jerry