Front hub modifications for naught!

thomas g. warner

New member
Mar 24, 1998
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Rick I think you are chasing a ghost trying to improve the hubs. I believe
Arch has already compiled enough information previously to show that the
hubs are not the problem everyone thought they were. Put the correct
bearings in ($73 for bearings and seals), pack them with mobil 1 or another
synthetic lubricant and you won't have any problems.

>>
>>Scott,
>> The above brought to mind an idea that's been rattling around in my brain
>>for a while. Since the main weakness of "three-bearing" or "wide-spaced-
>>bearing" front hubs seems to be the danger of weakening the hub by machining
>>it down to accomodate the outermost bearing, why not make up a totally new hub
>>with a longer shank? This would not only provide additional bearing surface,
>>but might be used to move the wheel outward a couple inches to align with the
>>rears, similar to what some are doing with offset wheels.
>> The main complication would be attaching the unmodified (relatively short-
>>nosed) axle shaft to the hub, but some sort of small-hex high-strength nut
>>might do it down in the hole. Of course one would need an outboard housing
>>bolted to the knuckle to support the OD of the outer bearing, probably using
>>the existing bearing retainer bolt holes.
>> Seems this would kill 2 birds, moving the wheels outboard, but without
>>overloading the bearings the way offset wheels do.
>> This is "harebrained scheme #397". Any comments out there? Think your
>>hub-forger would be interested, Scott? Zak, Jim, and other engineering types:
>>could this work?
>>
>
>It's a possible solution for making more room for bearings. But, the hub is
just the first few worms in a pretty big can of
>worms when you start changing the geometry.
>
>You'd need to calculate the additional stresses placed on the inboard
components - like ball joints and the steering gear.
>
>It's worth a look though.
>
>Henry
>
>
>Henry Davis Consulting, Inc / new product consulting
>PO Box 1270 / product readiness reviews
>Soquel, Ca 95073 / IP reviews
>ph: (408) 462-5199 / full service marketing
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>
>
Tom & Marg Warner
Vernon Center NY
1976 palmbeach