'68 front wheel bearing grease cap wont seat

[Enrico R.]

I replaced the front wheel bearings on my '68 with Timken bearings. Now my gease caps wont seat properly.
Drivers side grease cap is a tight fit part way but does not seat flush with the housing. Passenger side grease cap has no grip at all and, like the other side, will only go in part way.
I've tried seating them with a piece of pipe with an inside diameter the same size as the edges of the grease cap. So, I think I've been able to apply adequate force to get them on.
With my old bearings, the caps were no problem getting on and were seated fully.
Do Timken bearings introduce something which would affect the grease caps?

[Dale S.]

Re: '68 front wheel bearing grease cap wont seat

Since no one has responded yet, I would remove on of the new outer bearings and compare it to the old bearing. Dale

[Rich P.]

Re: '68 front wheel bearing grease cap wont seat

Enrico,

Dale gave you a good starting point. Here are a few more things to concider.
Take the hub/rotor off and with nothing insde try and fit the cap on.
Also if the end of the caps have dents in them it will interfear with the fit and cause the cap to not seat properly.
Another thing to concider is the fact that it is best to install the cap by using a piece of pipe that makes contact with the entire rim of the cap.
Also make sure the cotter pins are trimmed enough to not interfear.
Those are just a few places to start.

Rich

[Edward J.]

Re: '68 front wheel bearing grease cap wont seat

Enrico, How About The Bearing Races Not Seated To The Bottom Of Hub, Did You Use A Race Driver To Install.

[Enrico R.]

Re: '68 front wheel bearing grease cap wont seat

Thanks for the ideas, guys. I'm beginning to suspect the new Timken outer races may be a bit different in size than the ones they replaced. Not a big problem but just another of those small mysteries that come with this car.

[Joe L.]

Re: '68 front wheel bearing grease cap wont seat

Thanks for the ideas, guys. I'm beginning to suspect the new Timken outer races may be a bit different in size than the ones they replaced. Not a big problem but just another of those small mysteries that come with this car.

Enrico-----


I would still be more concerned about the outer races not being fully seated as others have suggested. I just don't see the Timken races being dimensionally that much different than the originals. For one thing, even if the Timken races were slightly thicker I don't think it would cause a problem since there should still be clearance.

If you have any doubts about it, measure the originals and the new Timken pieces you installed. You should be able to measure the thickness of the Timken races even though they are installed.