Cannot Adjust Wheel Bearings

mars55

I cannot adust all the play out of my wheel bearings because the washer bottoms out on the unthreaded part of the spindle on my 1949 Hudson Commodore. The outer wheel bearing race is recessed 3/8 of inch. Should the washer fit over the unthreaded part of the spindle and do I have right washer for a Hudson (see photo)?

mars55

I have not replaced the bearings and agree that spun races could be a problem. I checked wheel bearings and they have the right part numbers. But before I got in to checking for damaged parts I wanted to be sure I had right washers. Also this problem is on both wheels.

Ol racer

Suggest pulling both sides apart, clean up the Hubs, brgs & races then should be able to determine the Cause.... Could be any one of the following... Incorrect brgs installed previously, or worn Brgs & race.The race cant sink further into the hubs because of internal machined ridge...A spinning race over time may cause looseness, but tighten with adjusting the nut....

charles4d

I thought it had a large round washer also on it it was thick not sure

Ol racer

FYI

Hudson only have one oblong washer with a Tang for spindle slot....
You donr want to lose a wheel while driving so suggest pulling apart clean and inspect everything because you dont want to lose a wheel while driving....
Only then, if everything checks okay but still need another washer to properly adjust, you can get a 'Grade 8 Washer' at Lowes,

fossiltin62

If necessary, shim behind the inside bearing. (i.e. move everything out toward the end of the spindle).

mars55

With further investigation, I discover that in some time in the past the inner bearing scored the wheel spindle shoulder. See photo. I like fossiltin62 idea of shim behind the inside bearing except there is no room to shim on the inner bearing. There is room to shim on the outer bearing. Does anyone have a reason why I cannot move the outer bearing out 1/4 of an inch?

bob ward

Its good to know the cause of the problem. If it were me I'd either be looking for replacement spindles or using a good quality washer of the required thickness.

TwinH

I'm a little confused. Can't move the outer bearing 1/4" without moving the inner bearing the same amount. Do you have the original wheel seal? Does it show signs of rubbing on the area in the pic that is discolored? I'm with Bob,if I couldn't determine the cause I'd be looking for replacement spindles.

Ol racer

Its best to know the Root Cause of the lack of adjustment capability.... Ive added 'Hardened Washers' many times outside of the Outter Brg behind the castle Nut when installed Hornet Hubs on Terraplane Spindles and held well....

Lee ODell

From the photo it appears the spindle has been staked many times to prevent the bearing from turning on a badly worn spindle. The inner bearing race looks badly worn and burned. If the inner race needs to come out 1/4 inch then the inner seal would not do its job allowing dirt and brake dust to contaminate the bearing. If the spindle is worn that much I'm with the others, begin looking for a good spindle.

Lee O'Dell

Lee ODell

Agreed, better to replace the damaged spindle with a good one. Not worth risking this:
https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1390622_10202051460670431_1795373519_n.jpg

Photo speaks louder than 1000 words. Thanks Ken.
Lee O'Dell

bob ward

Thinking about this a bit more, 1/4" of spindle wear is a hell of a lot of wear, 1/4" is also the difference in length between 34/47 spindles and stepdown spindles. Could the longer pre-stepdown IFS spindles have been fitted a stepdown? I have no idea if they swap over or not.

53jetman

Yes, the very early 1948 models continued to use the 34/47 spindles if my memory serves. I'm not sure your will find info on this in the later mechanical procedure manuals, but if you have access to the very first stepdown M/P manual, there will be a blurb on this subject to cover the situation.

mars55

Finally I was able to get work on this again. To check what spindle I have, I measured the length on the spindle from the Brake Backing Plate mounting surface to the end of the spindle and got 4 3/4 inches. The hub bore length is 4.0 inches. From this I hope somebody can tell me what spindle and hub I have.

[Deleted User]

If you can see the back side well enough you might see a part # in the casting

bob ward

4 3/4" is correct for the length of a stepdown front spindle. The grease seal boss is 3/8" wide, the inner bearing seat is 1" wide and the thread is 3/4" long. Overall length of a stepdown front hub is 4".

I'd be checking the outer bearing, possibly the race is too large and/or the taper roller is too small.