Spacer in front wheel

Hi All,

I have just replaced the front wheel bearings on the bike and I noticed that the spacer is not pressed tight between the two bearings. It is close but not holding it compressed and I am fairly sure it was held in position when I removed the old bearings. Is this a problem or is it just that the inner race of the new bearings is slightly less protruded. I am pretty sure the bearings are seated correctly but I would like some advice while the wheel is still off the bike.

Anyone found a similar situation when replacing wheel bearings?

Have you made sure that the bearings are seated correctly?

When you were hammering the new bearings in did you hear the 'noise' change? I often find that I can hear the change in the noise the hammer/work makes when the bearings reach the bottom of their hole.

As I recall on mine the spacer isn't tight between the bearings but it wasn't loose either.

The sound changed and the punch feels much more solid then it did when the bearing was moving. If yours wasn't tight tight then I think it might be ok. I guess mine was lose enough originally to be able to access all sides of the bearing.

liverpool_f_ wrote:The sound changed and the punch feels much more solid then it did when the bearing was moving. If yours wasn't tight tight then I think it might be ok. I guess mine was lose enough originally to be able to access all sides of the bearing.

I'd say it's probably fine then - the bearings can't get any closer together!

When I did mine, it was loose enough to easily push out the way to get a drift onto the far bearing while both bearings were still in place, so I'm sure it'll be fine, too.

Cheers for the input gents. I will reassemble in confidence. Just like to make sure I get these things right when I do a job for the first time