Rear Hub Spacer

[Crinkle]

Evening all .
I have had a rear hub bearing spin in the housing .I have had the housing machined and a new sleeve pressed in .The spacer is now too long .
My question is what should the clearance be between the spacer and the platform the bearing is seated on? IE the bearing .
Should it be nothing or a thou or two either way ?
This hub has seen a lot of action .I did try to find a new or used one but no luck .
Regards
John

[BDA]

  Crinkle!!

The spacer is to transfer load from the hub through the bearing inner races to the tranny and to position the bearings in the proper place on the stub axle. As such, the length of the spacer relates to the bearings and the stub axle rather than the bearing carrier or upright. Since the spacer needs to transmit load, it has to be tight between the bearings. You'll note that the inner bearing is pushed against a shoulder in the upright but the outer bearing is allowed to "float" a bit to accommodate tolerances. The spacers must be hardened so they don't "mushroom" and the compression between the inner races, spacers, and hub is preserved. The hub splines should be smeared with Loctite 635. No Loctite is needed for the nut - the recommendation is to tighten the nut with dry threads. There should be some positive locking of the nut. The stock D-washer is adequate but make sure that the washer is flat up against the side of the nut so that it can't loosen.

Here is a webpage that might be helpful: http://www.syer.net/rearbearingtech.htm

I hope that helps!

[Crinkle]

That is very helpful .Thanks for taking the time .I think some careful measuring and shortening the spacer should do the trick .

[BDA]

I included that link because, among other things, it includes the length of the spacers for the different Europa models. You should keep to those dimensions.

[gideon]

Also, read this before you decide what to do next with the rear hubs

https://groups.io/g/LotusEuropa/files/Analysis%20of%20S1,%20S2,%20TC,%20TCS%20rear%20axle%20failures.pdf

(If you can't access the file because you're not a member of the groups.io LotusEuropa email list then join the list)

[jbcollier]

STOP

DO NOT SHORTEN THE SPACER

The spacer locates the hub/wheel.  The outer bearing is fixed in position but the inner bearing just sits in its machined bore.  The inner bearing DOES NOT SEAT in the housing.


Please explain which bearing spun and how the housing was repaired.  Pictures would be helpful.

[Crinkle]

Many thanks for your reply .It is starting to become clear now .The inner bearing spun , I can try to take a photo of the thin sleeve .I have a 2.125 inch spacer on order so will let you know how i get on . Regards

[Triton]

It seems that you have sorted the problem,You said you tried to find a new or s/h one.  I think that Lotus Supplies will have them . A friend of mine does the machining on the new castings for them. They are better than the originals because the alloy is thicker behind  where the bearing seats.

[Crinkle]

According to their website they are out of stock and are virtually impossible to contact by phone.
Regards

[jbcollier]

http://rdent.com  list them.

[GavinT]

Kelvedon Lotus have a listing (scroll down a bit)

https://kelvedonlotus.co.uk/product/rear-bearing-to-bearing-spacer/

[Crinkle]

Yes , have one on order from Kelvedon .Hopefully will be here tomorrow .

[Crinkle]

Parts arrived yesterday and fitted .Bloody cold in that garage .
Thanks to all for the help .