Topic: Which Way Does It Go? Rear Wheel Bearing spacer - CB550 1975 Question - Picture

[quidger]

When I pounded the rear bearings out of the hub I had to go Neanderthal to get them out. The larger bearing on the sprocket side shot out along with the spacer.

I did not notice which way the spacer came out and I cannot tell from looking at the parts fiche which way the spacer goes back in. Logically to me it looks like the side of the spacer with the larger prongs goes toward the smaller bearing or on the brake side and the side of the spacer with the smaller prongs goes toward the larger bearing on the sprocket side. Last time I did what looked logical to me I put the floats in the carbs on my 1978 CB550 upside down and you guys on the forum set me straight. So much for my logic.

Last thing I want to do is pound out new bearings if I get the spacer in wrong. Any input on the spacer install direction is appreciated.

[steam-powered man]

try the cmsnl.com fiche, i think you'll find the extending fingers point toward the cush drive.  not sure of the reason for the fingers on the spacer, but anyway i'd make sure they don't extend into the bearing.  good luck,
bobp

[quidger]

Still not sure which way to install the spacer and at the risk of sounding really incompetent, I'm not sure what "cush drive" means.

Thanks for your patience and help.

[bwaller]

The fingers make sure the spacer stays in place when the axle is removed. They were probably bent when you removed everything. Clean up the hub and try the spacer in place, you'll no doubt have to straighten the fingers again. I can't remember if it goes in a certain way. 

[quidger]

Hey guys, still looking for help with trying to figure out which way the rear wheel bearing spacer goes into the hub.

Shoemaniii mentioned that the extending fingers point toward the "cush drive". But I'm not sure what is meant by cush drive.

Can somebody help with that also.

Thanks.

[fishhead]

The fingers of the spacers keep the spacer centered with the wheel bearings. If the spacer is inserted in the wrong orientation, the larger/ wider fingers will rub the inside of the hub that was meant to have the smaller fingers. When the spacer is mounted, the spacer doesn't spin with the hub. If the fingers werent there, when you pulled the axle out the spacer would fall and not be centered with the bearings.

 Intuition has me thinking that the inside part of the hub (towards the inside of the hub from the bearing) would have 2 different diameter holes (below the bearing on the inside of the hub) to match the 2 different diameters of the fingers on the spacer. I would think it would only fit 1 way(larger fingers go to the larger diameter hole- below the bearing on the inside of the hub).

[quidger]

So the fingers or prongs of the spacer should not come in contact with the inside of the hub? Correct?

If that's the case, then there is only one way that the spacer can go in - with the larger fingers or prongs of the spacer toward the larger hole in the hub. If you put the spacer in with the larger prongs toward the smaller hole of the hub they wedge against the hub.

[fishhead]

So the fingers or prongs of the spacer should not come in contact with the inside of the hub? Correct?

If that's the case, then there is only one way that the spacer can go in - with the larger fingers or prongs of the spacer toward the larger hole in the hub. If you put the spacer in with the larger prongs toward the smaller hole of the hub they wedge against the hub.

Correct.

[quidger]

Fishhead.... Thanks for your help.

[754]

cush drive, is the rubber cushioned area on the sprocket side...