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MG MGB Technical - front wheel bearings- shims/spacer

Well, I've reading over the winter...and wondering should I continue to use shims/spacers OR go without?....I've redone the entire front end suspension...and been messing with this for a while...and still have an occasional "clunk" when I apply the brake......Thx all....
Pete

I doubt the cluck has anything to do with hub shims. More likely loose brake calipers, worn cross member pads or any of a number of other things that wear or loosen.

As for using shims, there is no reason not to. They strengthen the spindle assembly. There are those who refuse to use them because "it's a pain" but that's about the worst reason I've ever heard. Running without them will probably be fine, but if you can take a few extra minutes to install them as the factory specified then why on earth would you not?

For an explanation of the shims and their function, see John Twist's video on the subject here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJYIXZtnIiw
Steve Simmons

Thx...but I personally refurbished the entire crossmember...tie rods, pads, every bushing, king pins....everything...new shocks......bearings/races....calipers; all tight and perfect...kinda narrowed it down to this bearing issue or maybe splines for wire wheels (although the splines fit/measure fine)......
Pete

It was hub NAD wheel splines for me. $2K fixed it!!
tom

Here is something simple to check. Make certain you properly aligned the bolt that holds the shock adsorber arm to the top of the kingpin. There is a notch in the bolt head that must be oriented to the stop on the shock absorber arm. If the bold is not alligned properly when tightened it can work itself loose and cause a clunk.

Good luck
Bob
RES Schultz

Bearings won't cluck unless they are loose in the hub, in which case the hub should be replaced. You can use green locktite as a temporary fix. The splines could also be worn an the wheel and / or hub. Try swapping wheels front to rear and see if the clunk changes.
Steve Simmons

I've had clunks in the past. One was a loose brake caliper mounting bolt. Several times it was due to loose front shock mounting bolts. The shock clunks happened during braking and when going over rought roads.

The loose caliper basically only clunked when braking. The inspector for the New Hampshire DOT thought it was a loose kingpin but passed the car as the slop was marginal. He wiggled the caliper while checking the suspension and suspected kingpins.

I'd use the shims. Properly set the bearing should not clunk. They allow you to tighten things down and still have the correct endplay required by ball bearings.
Robert McCoy

The shims and spacers are absolutely vital for a strong assembly. The whole thing acts as a prestressed assembly when properly assembled and greatly adds to the rigidity of the axle assembly.
Iain MacKintosh

This thread was discussed between 07/02/2008 and 08/02/2008

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