Eric,
Tapered bearings can take tremendous axial loads, but they have to be pre-
loaded to work correctly.
When installed in an application like wheels, they're installed in opposed
pairs with the cups (wheel part) fixed between shoulders and the cones (shaft
part) separated by a spacer.
The spacers are needed to adjust out the manufacturing tolerances in the
individual bearings and to provide the right preload since the cups are fixed.
You should install the spacers so that you get a smooth running wheel without
any rocking.
FWIW
Bob Stahlbush
'66 MGB
60 TR-3A
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