Front hubs and ball races

[Viv James TraX Interconnect (Pty.) Ltd]

DAI has summed the whole thing up correctly. A couple of years back we debated this whole subject on this list and I think most of us reached agreement that the spacer and bearing centres when pulled up tight, maybe 60 to 80 ft pounds or so, is essential for stub axle protection. I think we decided that insufficient tightness here contributed to the many stub axle breakages (I had 2 in 1959, one on a brand new stub axle). For this reason the tapered race conversions, like Dave said, must have spacers and be shimmed correctly to eliminate play. The list convinced me and I have done this on both my cars. Play when using original standard ball races, provided they are good, invariably comes from worn hub inner surfaces. We resleeved mine with difficulty but successfully. If you are near a source, rather replace them. There is no other solution. Viv James