Driveshaft rubbing hub carrier...

Hi there,

here's the latest problem on my '81 cabriolet. I had a squeaking noise from the front right hub recently, and mistakenly changed the rear wheel bearing, which obviously made no difference. On dismantling the front end it became clear that the bearing was shot and there was so much wear in the housing that the bearing races were both moving and allowing the end of the CV joint to contact the hub carrier!!!

I scrapped the hub and carrier, found a good one in one of my boxes, fitted a new bearing with a press and though there is abslolutely no wear at all, the hub was touching the end of the shaft after only ten kilometres or so. Why is this, and what can I do about it? The shiny wear on the end of the driveshaft can clearly be seen in the first photo.



Could it be linked to the state of my engine mounts, the front one looks a little bent and tired?


Any ideas greatly appreciated.

Robin

Is it standard engine or an engine conversion? 100mm driveshafts don't fit 90mm hubs, and can cause this.

However looking at your pics, I don't think its that - I think its the engine mounts. The front looks well out of line so I think one or both of your side mounts are collapsed. Check the rear mount too.

Hi Paul, and thanks for your prompt reply.

It's an 1800 carb engine, originally a 1500 was fitted, but the problem has only developed recently.

As I thought, the engine mounts are probably causing the problem. I'd better order new ones, then.

Robin

Did you also swap the gearbox at the same time, or keep your existing? If you swapped it, what about the driveshafts? What year car was the engine from?

I bought it like that - apparently the running gear and interior were all taken from a '92 model car, that's what I was told.

Could it be that the driveshafts are not the correct ones, but that it has been running like that for the last few years (and the year I've had it)? It sounds unlikely.

Robin

if it all came from a 92 then yes it'll have 100mm shafts. the bearing carriers are machined out a bit on these to clear the larger outer cvs.

2 problems then, 1 your old bearings have collapsed causing play/grinding, the new bearing carrier is early type and therefore wont fit the cv. if the old bearign carrier is ok just get a new bearing pressed into it, you might want to check the hub to make sure it is ok before you have it pressed into the new bearing

OK thanks.

Since my drive shafts and CV joints are OK, when I've got new engine mounts, can I machine out the lip on the hub carrier to make sure it clears the CV joint if the problem persists, or should I be trying to get some 90mm drive shafts, which could be hard to find over here.
I assume the only thing which would prevent me from 'tidying up' the inner edge of the bearing carrier would be the proximity to the circlip and its groove.

Robin

probably easier to have the cv machined on a lathe or something, but the bearing carrier can be machined assuming you dont take any strength out of it as you say watch the circlip groove

Hi all;

I had a go at the ends of the CV joints on a lathe this morning, and took off just enough material to smooth the contours, and it looks like it's done the trick. I refitted it all with new engine mounts (4) all round and there's no rubbing at all. Photos to follow as soon as I clean up a bit.

Thanks again for the help,
Robin

sorted