My father has surmised--or read somewhere--that the distance piece's function
is to 'lock' the inner and outer bearing to each other and to the stub axle to
prevent them from turning on the axle. He said Henry Ford took the opposite
approach; i.e. leave the bearings free to turn some on the axle so the races
don't wear in one spot.
I suspect Norman Nock would know the 'official' purpose of the spacer.
Bob
This ought to start something with the engineers out there: With my limited
experience after studying my hubs during the rebuild I believe the distance
pieces are used just to get the proper end float of the hubs. The distance
pieces along with the shims ride on the bearings from the inboard side
allowing a very accurate end float measurement (distance) to be obtained. I
do not think they are primarily associated with strength. If the pieces are
not present you cannot set the end float therefore possibly placing too much
lateral force on the bearings when tightening the castle nut to the specified
torque setting of 70 ft lbs.
Just my opinion,
George Haywood
'65 bj8
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