MTFCA Forum

I have new timken tapered inner an outer front wheel bearings for my 1914. The hubs still have the cups or races in them for the ball bearings. Is it just a matter of removing the old races and replacing them with the tapered races and using a thinner spindle washer under the spindle nut? Also, the new inner seals fit loose in the hubs, what can be done about that? Thanks, Art

I'm pretty sure the hub needs changed out with a later one to accept the taper bearing cup.

The outer ball bearing rings must be changed in order to switch to roller bearings.

Art Mirtes

Later timkins will fit the early hub. The outer rase does stick out further.
Seals will fit if the hubs are not damaged.
You might be able to flair the base of the modern neoprene seal to tighten the fit. You can use the tapered side of an old timkin race to open up the seal edge a bit. Help it with some ultra black to glue it in well.

The early hubs are very thin at the outer bearing, removing the old cup and fitting the timkin cup needs to be done very carefully as it can stretch the hub and the brass cap will no longer screw on.

Kerry wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 13, 2024 4:17 pm

The early hubs are very thin at the outer bearing, removing the old cup and fitting the timkin cup needs to be done very carefully as it can stretch the hub and the brass cap will no longer screw on.

There is a trick to re-size the outer threads where the cap goes on. Remove the bolt from a rear wheel puller, and spread it with a screw driver so it will go on the threads. Put the bolt back in and tighten it down. If you weren't able to put the puller on all the way, that is OK, just loosen the bolt, screw it in further, then tighten the bolt again. When finished the cap will screw on.