Bearing Spacers

[Eric Worpe]

The reasoning behind inserting a bearing spacer on the front stub axle comes
from the need to increase the effective diameter of the spindle as far as any
BENDING MOMENT on the spindle is concerned. However to achieve a
rigid assembly, the nut on the spindle has to be tightened hard which puts the
spindle under TENSION, this stress plus the the reduced bending moment
stress fatigues the spindle at the root area of the bending moment.
The tension stress is fairly constant, whilst the bending stress is variable
as
the wheel rolls along the road and therefore the bending stress is the greater
cause of fatigue. The moral seems to be to minimise bending stress and
therefore follow Bob Grunau's advise.
Regards Eric Worpe.