Wheel bearing spacer

[badassjamie]

There is a spacer between the bearings on a front hub. Probably on the rear hub as well.
The one I have is about 3" long with a small hole.

How absolutely necessary is it that it be in place?

The bearings are so tight, I don't see the clear logic of it's purpose other than just occupying space on the axle. It's not like its a press fit or anything where the hub would collapse on itself.

 

[azman857]

It keeps the inner races from impoding when you tighten the axle. With it installed it keeps the spaceing like one solid tube over a rod. No stress on the bearings other than normal rotation and side forces its designed for. Without the spacer the inner races are wanting to move to the center of the wheel and the ball bearings are being stressed the most. When (not if) they fail, it won't be pretty. Put the spacer in.

 

[xjwmx]

^I doubt the axle nut would ever tighten. It would crush the bearings and then screw down on the axle as far as it would go and stop.

 

[badassjamie]

Yeah I put it in
These are the first wheels I've ever built from scratch.

Makes sense when you have clearly explained it out like above.
Many thanks

 

[kyladoscope]

Does the orientation of the bearing spacer matter on a front spoked wheel? I’ve seen diagrams but they are all of mag wheels and my bearing spacer does not have a hole.

 

[5twins]

No, it doesn't matter which way around you put it in there, as long as it's in there. The small hole in the side of the spacer was to aid in removing the wheel bearings. It was eliminated on later ones.

 

[kyladoscope]

Nice. Ok thanks 5twins. The flange being offset on the spacer after tear down just made me think it was oriented to a specific side.

 

[Jim]

Nice. Ok thanks 5twins. The flange being offset on the spacer after tear down just made me think it was oriented to a specific side.

Glad to see you're back to workin' on your bike, Kyla.

 

[willis]

I believe the only purpose of that flange is to help keep the spacer centered more in the hub while installing the bearings. I don’t think it is a crucial bit as long as the spacer is in there.

 

[kopcicle]

How absolutely necessary is it that it be in place?

absolutely...
If you want to get nitty picky about it the spacer should be an ideal length.
That length would be to eliminate any side loading on the bearings.

Oh, btw , you can have my ex , and blow yourself

 

[kyladoscope]

Glad to see you're back to workin' on your bike, Kyla.

Hey Jim! I’m excited to make some progress. It’s been too long.

 

[GLJ]

Oh, btw , you can have my ex , and blow yourself

Took me a minute to figure out where that came from.

 

[kopcicle]

^^^^