Damaged Spacers

[Bob_Roller]

Removed the seals and bearings form the rear wheel of the LS that had the wheels powder coated .

I found the two plastic spacers number 8 in the illustration, all mauled up at the raised flange of the part .

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=0365&mospid=51899&btnr=36_0151&hg=36&fg=10

Anything to be concerned about, or should they be replaced ?

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

If they are plastic, and show deformation, I would replace them.

Will that affect bearing preload?

[Bob_Roller]

Doesn't look like it, they go over the center spacer number 9 in the illustration, I think they center the long spacer in the wheel opening so it doesn't get out of alignment during assembly .

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Then, if the deformed area does not affect the parts' function, I'd say you could get by with the old ones.

You will know soon enough.

[nhmaf]

You might be OK as long as you are careful/patient putting it back together and reinserting the axle.  But, it may be that things have a tendency to drop out of alignment on you during the assembly process - personally, if I had it that far apart, I'd most likely replace them while I had them out to minimize aggravation later.

[montmil]

...I think they center the long spacer in the wheel opening so it doesn't get out of alignment during assembly.

That's correct. Without them, the "pipe", item #9, would not be aligned with the axle as it is inserted. They serve no other purpose.  

Monte

[Bob_Roller]

The spacers are about $10 each, and about a 2 week usual wait for the parts from the local dealer .

Looks like I'll be heading over there first thing in the morning .

It will give me some time to play around with this bearing preload adjustment .

[Mike V]

Bob,

Monte's right, they just help center the inner spacer (with a little room left over). You don't really have to have them. I just finished my entire wheel bearing project on my /7 and the education was priceless. I have some tips with the preload adjustment if you're interested. I have a tutorial on the MOA forum, I'll include the link. You'll have to register as a member to view the pictures. Here's the link to the site.  

http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=46970

Do you have axle spacers and shims in 0.05mm or 0.02mm increments?

[Bob_Roller]

All I have is what came out when I  took it apart .

I'm going to see how the preload is with the parts that I have .

I looked at Ed Korn's site, he has shim kits, I was wondering if you didn't want to get involved with replacing the spacer shim with one of a different length, could you substitute the thin shims he has in the kit ?

http://www.cycleworks.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=29_33_53&products_id=56&zenid=beb6d953cd57b6ba3bd9fd36b5584120

[Mike V]

I purchased the shim kit from Dan Neiner at CycleWorks.   It comes with ten 0.05mm shims and two additional wedding bands at different thicknesses. If you get into a situation of excess pre-load (tightness) you'll need to shim the stack to ease the pressure. It's advised to go on the light side of preload or minimal axle drag with no bearing lash in the range of 20 to 35 Ft-lb. I found this to be true.  I only had to remove one 0.05mm shim from the rear wheel after the "wiggle test" and the front was good.

[Bob_Roller]

Ordered a shim kit from Cycle Works, with two other bikes to do, I'm sure I'll need the shims .

[Mike V]

Bob,

Don't forget you'll also need some spacers at the correct length to secure the bearing stack with the grease seals and top hats removed. Dan sells them, but ask him to make sure the ends are turned and cut square (perpendicular). I found it makes a difference for your pre-load determination to have the spacers apply equally distributed pressure on the inner races of the cage. You may install the axle without the seals and top hats and get a measurement from the bearing to the center of the axle threads. I also fitted some pvc inserts inside the spacer to take up the slack around the axle. This made for a more consistent pre-load determination for me.

[Bob_Roller]

I ordered a shim kit from Cycle Works this morning .

Just got an email from Dan at Cycle Works, he's out of town for about a week, so it looks like the replacement spacers and the shim kit will show up about the same time .