Azuza wheel bearing race

[Sonex1243]

Getting ready to assemble my rims and tires and see that the bearing and nut washer sit about an 1/8" high from being flush with the axle bore on the rim. There is room to seat the bearing race further down and allow a nice flush mount when the wheel and axle nut is installed. Has anyone had to do the same?

[WaiexN143NM]

Hi ken,
Yes you need to seat the races in the wheel. why they come like this im not sure. a very common problem. seat with a large socket and mallet or hammer, or in a press. yes it needs to go down about a 1/8 of an inch, but it will bottom out, and still have about a 1/8 in gap at the bottom . this is to allow for a race removal tool. races can be bought from azusa, they are inexpensive.

WaiexN143NM
Michael

[jowens]

As Michael indicated the races need to be seated with some serious force

[lutorm]

I heated my wheels a bit with a torch and the races just fell in.

[DCASonex]

Has anyone needed to seat the races in these wheels ?? I think everyone has. However you do it, make sure it is backed up so that you are not putting any forces on the web of the wheels. I used an arbor press, but perhaps the best way is simply a large (1/2") bolt or threaded rod through the wheel with large thick washers and a common 1/2" drive socket, the OD of which just fits inside the bore of the wheel so as to put even pressure all the way around the race. I would avoid using a hammer for this job, and never press on the bearing itself only the race.

David A.

[Sonex1243]

Thanks everyone, I suspected that would have to be the case. Great idea's, I'll use a hydraulic press and socket to make the adjustments since I have access to one this weekend.

[Gordon]

To Ken S.............My races were not seated down tight either and I used a very large washer plus a large socket and then tapped them down gently with a mallet. I would be reluctant to use a hydraulic press....you could damage the wheel and/or the race.

Nothing was mentioned by anyone that the bearing I see in the photo (Azusa-8256) should be discarded and changed to the Azusa-8229 bearing. This is the "upgraded" bearing that Sonex sells ($7.75 each...you need 4) and should have been provided in the kit in the first place. This bearing has the rubber seal around it to keep dirt and moisture out of the bearing AND keep the wheel grease in. This is a very worthwhile and cheap upgrade.

Gordon........Hummel 2400....Onex

[Sonex1243]

Nothing was mentioned by anyone that the bearing I see in the photo (Azusa-8256) should be discarded and changed to the Azusa-8229 bearing. This is the "upgraded" bearing that Sonex sells ($7.75 each...you need 4) and should have been provided in the kit in the first place. This bearing has the rubber seal around it to keep dirt and moisture out of the bearing AND keep the wheel grease in. This is a very worthwhile and cheap upgrade.

Thanks Gordon, didn't know about the upgraded bearings, my kit minus tail came with these LM11949X Chinese bearings. I was wondering about just a washer sealing the bearing and had planned to address it after re-seating the race by possibly adding a felt piece sandwiched between two washers (like the GA aircraft) if there was enough depth and remaining gap on the backside to remove them if needed.

[WaiexN143NM]

Hi all,
Thanks for responding and offer advice. We used a press, it doesnt take much effort to seat it.
Sonex 1243 got the bearings at the time im sure were standard. a few years ago sonex went with the new rubber seal model. the rubber cannot be removed from the bearing its moulded in. and the large flat washer is used on top of the rubber. yes when tapping or pressing have the wheel supported well to distribute the load.

WaiexN143NM
Michael

[Sonex1243]

Just to be sure, the upgraded bearing would be the same "drop in" if I was to set the depth with the existing bearing? Ordering the upgraded ones today.
Thanks again everyone.