Topic: Front wheel bearing install - How did I screw up?

[timtune]

Front wheel 1972 CB750:
Heated one side of the hub, greased the bearing and tapped it into the hub. Felt it hit bottom and gave it a couple more shots to be sure. Was driving it with a large socket that only connected the outer race. While it was warm I greased the slotted aluminum adjustment/locking collar and spun it in. Used a blunt punch to tap it home and then a couple more taps.
Flipped the wheel, slid the axle in from one side, used it to center the weird 3 pronged bearing spacer with the next bearing. Then drove the second bearing in. (first side went so easily I didn't heat the other side - it did not take much effort to drive the second bearing in)
Felt the second bearing "meet" the spacer and gave it a few more taps to be sure.
Everything looks fine, EXCEPT now it's real bugger to get the axle in. It will only go all the way with a tap from a rubber mallet. From each side I can slide the axle in past the first bearing and into the spacer but then I hang up on the second bearing. Again I can do that from either side.
Tried a second axle thinking maybe it was bent a bit but it hangs up too.
All I can think is one bearing is slightly cocked.
Thoughts or suggestions??

[bryanj]

As long as it goes through with LIGHT taps dont sweat it

[timtune]

OK maybe more than a light tap. The wheel doesn't want to spin well on the axle.
This is not acceptable.

[denward17]

OK maybe more than a light tap. The wheel doesn't want to spin well on the axle.
This is not acceptable.

Sounds like you installed the 2nd bearing in a little too far ?

[newday777]

Front wheel 1972 CB750:
Heated one side of the hub, greased the bearing and tapped it into the hub. Felt it hit bottom and gave it a couple more shots to be sure. Was driving it with a large socket that only connected the outer race. While it was warm I greased the slotted aluminum adjustment/locking collar and spun it in. Used a blunt punch to tap it home and then a couple more taps.
Flipped the wheel, slid the axle in from one side, used it to center the weird 3 pronged bearing spacer with the next bearing. Then drove the second bearing in. (first side went so easily I didn't heat the other side - it did not take much effort to drive the second bearing in)
Felt the second bearing "meet" the spacer and gave it a few more taps to be sure.
Everything looks fine, EXCEPT now it's real bugger to get the axle in. It will only go all the way with a tap from a rubber mallet. From each side I can slide the axle in past the first bearing and into the spacer but then I hang up on the second bearing. Again I can do that from either side.
Tried a second axle thinking maybe it was bent a bit but it hangs up too.
All I can think is one bearing is slightly cocked.
Thoughts or suggestions??

Rather than a bearing locked, I'd say you have the spacer tube(#7) between the bearings cocked.
I was taught years ago to roll up a couple of 3x5 index cards into a 3" tube, to center #7 in the bearings. I put a double thickness card stock tube in each side, rather than the axle to evenly center the spacer. Never have had a problem getting the axle in after I am done doing it this way. I just did my goldwing bearings last weekend when I put a new tire on the front.

[rotortiller]

You could try heating the hub area around the bearing ( the one without the threaded retainer) with a torch which may allow the bearing to reposition itself and remove most of axial bearing loading, should that be the cause. Put the axle in just in case.

[timtune]

Instead of cards I used the axle to align things. Not sure why that didn't work. As for the spacer being cocked I can slide the axle thru one bearing and the collar no problem from either side. It's when the axle needs to pass the second bearing that it hangs up.

[bryanj]

If you had the axle through the centre whilst hitting the outer race you may have damaged the bearing balls by side load.
I have never had a problem with the spacer as it has the 3 ears to centralise it, if bear is damaged a new one is only answer

[MauiK3]

I think I'd start over with new bearings. I would only lightly tap the last bearing in so the spacer can still move almost freely.

[willbird]

Instead of cards I used the axle to align things. Not sure why that didn't work. As for the spacer being cocked I can slide the axle thru one bearing and the collar no problem from either side. It's when the axle needs to pass the second bearing that it hangs up.

If you hold the axle in say a bench vise and slide the wheel on as far as it will go, then rotate it...if the bearing that goes in against the shoulder is in there crooked you should see some runout in the wheel hub when you rotate the wheel ??

[timtune]

So... Took the large socket and hammer to the free end . No difference. Spun out the collar and beat the other bearing. Bingo! Axle glides in and rotates nice. Thanks all.

Brute force and ignorance to the rescue.