[Healeys] Front wheel bearing query

Sun Jan 28 12:54:51 MST 2018

The torque specification for the stub axle nut is 40 - 70 lb-ft.

My technique for achieving this is to torque first to 40, then continue
toward lining up the next castellation with the cotter pin hole.  If the
torque reaches 70 before the alignment is achieved, I remove the nut and add
a wheel bearing shim under it.  Repeat until alignment is within 40 - 70
lb-ft.  This torque spread is wide enough for latitude in the final torque,
but enough to provide adequate preload ofthe bearings (according to the
factory).

Steve Byers

HBJ8L/36666

BJ8 Registry

AHCA Delegate at Large

Havelock, NC  

TARHEELY license plate

From: Healeys [mailto:healeys-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Bob
Spidell
Sent: Sunday, January 28, 2018 11:33 AM
To: healeys at autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [Healeys] Front wheel bearing query

Simon,

A few years ago, I had just begun a long road trip in my BJ8 with my son.  A
hundred or so miles out of town the car developed a loud, grinding, 'squeal'
at the right front.  Assuming wheel bearing damage, I got the right front
wheel up on a jack and did the usual testing.  All seemed normal, so I got
back on the road and the noise, of course, resumed.  A few hundred miles
down the road the noise stopped.

We continued the trip--probably did 2-3K miles--and when I got home I tore
into the hub.  Sure enough, that washer with the inner tab had spun and
turned about 90deg in the direction of forward travel, then stopped (the
noise was likely from the washer grinding against the inside of the hub).
So, yes, the tabs on these washers can shear and the washer can rotate.  I
don't recall bearing damage, but I likely replaced both wheel bearings and
associated parts on the car whilst I was in there.  If your other bearings
were in good nick I think we know what caused the problem (it's possible
your bad bearing ran dry as well).

I don't know if this was an original part, or it had been replaced by a
previous owner, but I blame the 'usual suspect:'  sub-par aftermarket parts
manufacture.  Also, I think the torque specification for the big castellated
nut that holds everything together--IIRC, it's 70lb-ft--is a bit specious,
as you have to line up a slot on the castellated nut with the hole in the
axle threads for the cotter (and you'll have no idea what the actual, final
torque is after you turn the nut to line up with the hold).  Since my
experience, I always torque the snot out of that nut; i.e. I torque the nut
to nominal or, nearly as tight as I can, then put a big breaker bar on it
and continue torquing until at least the next slot (or the next, or the next
...).  That is a big nut and 'bolt,' it would take a gorilla to snap it off
or cross-thread.   I've had no similar issue for 100K miles or so, though I
just went through my hubs again and a couple of the bearings were worn, but
had also been run dry.  This time, I sprung for (hopefully) better grease:

https://tinyurl.com/y9ljd69a

This stuff feels--for lack of a better word--'slipperier' than petroleum
grease I've used.  I have high hopes for it.

Bob

On 1/28/2018 7:30 AM, simon.lachlan at homecall.co.uk wrote:

Hi,

Some wisdom from the gurus please.

We're looking at a MKII BT7 here. Disc brakes and wire wheels.

Now, I've "done" bearings before and maybe did this one wrong last time..

So, I took it all apart. No worries.

The outer bearing was completely shot. Surprisingly so as there had been
very little movement indeed when moving the wheel once off the ground. And
no "crunchiness" to the rotation. Certainly no noise or panic inducing
anything.

I cleaned everything off in white spirit and, once all was pristine and dry,
I gave everything a quick look. 

See item 4, "washer". The tab on mine had broken off in the groove on the
hub. Now, I see that this washer is perhaps better called the "locating
washer" when one is looking at the picture for the disc wheel setup. 

But I don't really see what the tab is good for..surely the washer can't
rotate once everything is tightened up, shims in situ etcetc? 

Can the washer have been rotating? Surely not? And could the tab's fracture
have anything to do with the condition of my outer bearing?

(The inner bearing seems fine).

And, yes, I will get a new washer and I'm replacing both bearings.

It's just curiosity really.

Thanks,

Simon

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