front bearings spacer tool

[Vlad]

Has anyone actually seen this tool?


It appears that in essence it is just a bolt with two washers on both sides tightened with a nut. If we tighten this bolt to 200nm as recommended, i.e. almost the maximum torque an average man can apply to a bolt, the inner bearing will be overtightened and it will be not possible to rotate the whole assembly with a torque of 0.25-1.8 nm to select a proper shim.
Can anyone explain - what's the trick with this tool?

[kzbill]

I have one and I do the bearings all the time, there is no trick with the tool the trick is in the shims. you have to have different sizes of shims to try to get the proper preload. If your too tight you need a thicker shim. Too loose you need thinner ones.

[Vlad]

I've done it many times myself. However, I used iterations by changing shims and checking ease of rotation of the wheel with subsequent monitoring of temperature. This method usually required three or four assembling-disassembling cycles. This time I decided to use a less messy method.

It's clear that the outer bearing is prevented from pressure by a proper spacer.

What I can't understand is that if this tool mercilessly pressures the inner bearing into its race, how the whole thing rotates so freely being tightened to 20 kg?

[Vlad]

Indeed, my confusion stems from the following presumption. I used to think that because a spacer ring rests on a small shoulder inside the steering knuckle, the inner bearing doesn't touch this ring. Am I wrong?

[kzbill]

the spacer ring should go between the inner races of the bearing and not touch the shoulder inside the hub. It sets the distance between the inner races to preload the bearing assemblies. if you use the tool to set them up off the car using only motor oil to lubricate them, you should get (2-11 in. lb.) of force to break them free from a stand still. I don't know the conversion from in.lb. to metric.
Then pack as usual with grease, and assemble on spindle using the shim you used to set them.

[kzbill]

Vlad "PM" me if you need more help please

[Vlad]

Thanks. If the inner bearing touches the ring, than it explains everything.

Simply, when I put grease into the annular groove between bearings inside the knuckle, than a finger feels some distance between the shim and the inner bearing rim because the asssmbly is loose.

[kzbill]

Shims come in increments of approximately .03 mm 0.0012 inches thickness, our cars have 21 different shims listed for them.

[25Horseplay]

I have that tool also!

[F3BZ]

this shows up regularly on ebay as part of a kit that includes additional special tools to service similar vehicle areas. i think the rotunda kit is something like T87C 1000. maybe brian can post. the kits are usually missing a piece or two so check that the spacer tool is in it if you find one. search rotunda tools. some ebay shops specialize in these.

[Vlad]

Thank you for a better image.
Here's how a self-made tool looks alike



(Taken from a Russian forum http://www.kia-club.ru/forum/viewtop...asc&highlight=)

[scitzz]

My two cents is this......
I have yet to replace my rotors on my baby car, the reason for this is that when I learned brakes, I never learned pressed ons, and I honestly have no clue how to maesure the preload, or any of the other things needed. I would respectfully suggest asticky on how to do this job, well detailed would be AWESOME.It cannot be THAT hard, just some knowledge needed.....

Thanx for listening!

[gdawgs]

Someday if my front wheel bearings go out, I was planning on writing up a procedure with lots of pictures. This topic comes up all the time, and it's really not that hard of a fix. The little homemade "press" like Vlad shows is all you need.

[BlownSkillet]

Where can I find the torque specs for installation of the rotors & drums?

[BlownSkillet]

Nevermind...found them.

http://vsmus-origin.skf.com/Files/Brochures_in_PDF/457377.pdf