To shim or not to shim

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Course of action to take

  • Just sell it (like that will ever happen!)

  • Forget about it until hands go numb due to vibration.

  • Replace the whole hub assembly again or disaster will befall you

  • It will probably be alright, just remove a shim and tighten it all up again.


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gymmaniac

Well-Known Member
Posts
621
Location
Bedfordshire
The local roads have started to take their toll on my front steering components after refurbishing the hubs, wheel bearings etc 5 1/2 years ago.

Passengers wheel has a very slight feel of movement top to bottom. Drivers side definitely top/bottom rock to it. Side to side everything is fine.

Can I get away with just removing a shim from the top of the hub and not looking at the hub bearings? Or does everything have to come apart as I should replace the bearings too?

(Track rod ends have definitely seen better days so some replacements from GwynLewis are on the way for those bits.)

Cheers for advice....
 
Do both, easy job's, check preload and remove swivel pin shims as needed to get the right preload. Remove drive flange and adjust hub nuts to remove play.
You don't say what hub/year Landy has/is, two nuts or single stake nut.
 
Jack axle, jam footbrake on, wiggle wheel.
Play = swivels
No play = bearings

Ps no Bob option!
 
As above, check if it is swivel play or bearing play by applying the brakes while rocking the wheel as described above. Depending on the outcome adjust the relevant part. If there is too much play in either the wheel bearings or the swivel to adjust the play out of it then refurbish and replace the parts. It is not a long job to do the swivel and is fairly straightforward. If you re-furbed it all a few years ago it could well be due a bit of adjustment to take out 5 years of wear, depending on the usage it may also be due another set of wheel bearings, they are not fit and forget items!
 
Thanks Guys, I'll just see if I can adjust the shims first then. New track rod ends should arrive tomorrow so I'll sway them at the weekend too.
 
Didn't bother with the swivels. Both in working order, passenger swivel was a little light, under 3kg to pull, but still ran smoothly. track rod ends were very loose though, drag link I changed as I had the bits. New steering damper on too. A lot better. Just need to have another go at the tracking as pulling a bit to the left now.... That can wait for another weekend.
 
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