How are your floating hubs (from years ago) holding up?

[James_Lyons-WV]

The other day, I tried to push some grease into the left rear Hyatt bearing on my 13, and it wouldn't take any. So, I pulled the grease cup to find a blockage. Thinking the old bearing sleeve slipped/rotated, I pulled the wheel only to find that a floating hub had been installed in the left rear - and only the left rear.

Now, I'm not a fan of modernization. I like them the way Henry made them. A Hyatt setup will roll forever if greased properly. Nevertheless, I understand that folks like to do this. The trouble is; the installation of the Floating hub requires that you ruin the differential housing by cutting off 1-inch of the exposed tube. Not a fan of that either.

So, the million-dollar question is: How have your floating hubs held up after years of touring? I have to decide if I am going to swap out the housing and go back to stock or if I can live with this for a while.

Your input is appreciated.

[Allan]

25 000 miles in 30 years in my 1912 chocolate van, and never had to touch them.I have the same in two other T's.

Allan from down under.

[James_Lyons-WV]

Awesome.. thanks Allan.

[speedytinc]

Arent floating hubs held in with a set screw & jam nut in place of the grease cup? Does it have to be in correct alignment?
Something to think about.
As long as the bearings still feel good & considering the housing is butchered & would need replacing, I would run it.

[Allan]

When I fit mine, I assemble the spiggot into the bearing mounted on the wheel. That way it is set to the depth required. Then the wheel/bearing/spiggot assembly is fitted to the axle as usual. That fitting sets the spiggot at the correct depth in the housing, and then the locking screw can be tightened.

I do not use O rings in the roughly machined bore of the axle housing. Instead I apply a liberal coat of Loctite red non hardening flange sealant to the spiggot and then install it.

Allan from down under.

[Kevin Pharis]

Arent floating hubs held in with a set screw & jam nut in place of the grease cup?

There is a set screw and jam nut that replaces the grease cup… however, the screw should NOT be tightened down against the bearing insert. The set screw is there to prevent the bearing insert from getting away in the event of an axle breakage, but also must allow the bearing insert to “float” in the housing. Proper assembly is to snug up the set screw, back off 1/4 - 1/2 turn, then lock in place with the jam nut

[RajoRacer]

Is that your design Kevin ?

[SurfCityGene]

This conversion "holds up" very well because it uses a modern ball bearing system. It solves any oil and grease leaks onto the brakes and an added safety feature is the prevention of losing a wheel when the axle breaks!

A worthwhile investment and doesn't alter the appearance of an original T!!

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

When I fit mine, I assemble the spiggot into the bearing mounted on the wheel. That way it is set to the depth required. Then the wheel/bearing/spiggot assembly is fitted to the axle as usual. That fitting sets the spiggot at the correct depth in the housing, and then the locking screw can be tightened.

I do not use O rings in the roughly machined bore of the axle housing. Instead I apply a liberal coat of Loctite red non hardening flange sealant to the spiggot and then install it.

Allan from down under.

When you assemble in that manner, how do does the seal clear the axle key?

[Kevin Pharis]

Is that your design Kevin ?

Yup, made up a handful of sets for myself and few of the local strays a while back. They were based upon a sketch from an old T club magazine (‘70’s) my dad has. Not exactly a “safety” hub as the bearing is not fully retained to the spud, but I did stake the bearing to the spud to prevent it from coming apart in the event of axle failure. No problems yet…

[Norman Kling]

The idea is good, however your drum looks like the brake shoe was scraping inside. Either something wrong with the shoe or the wheel was pushed in too far. That problem should be addressed if you are going to keep those floating hubs.
Norm

[Allan]

Jerry, the wheel /spiggot is fitted first without the key. Then the grub screw is tightened to hold it in place, before removing the wheel to fit the key. Mine are floating hubs, not safety hubs.

Allan from down under.