Pinion Assembly

[steve davidson]

[quote pid='16354' dateline='1537383665']
Thanks very much for the in-depth explanation above, I now have a much better idea what Angular Contact (AC) bearings are and why their orientation is important.  Is the reason they are sold as a matched pair because if they had different widths the load lines would not converge on the centre of the shaft and deviation here will induce a bending force in the shaft?
I’m still confused about what to do if the is clearance less than 0.005?  Filing the torque tube makes sense in my mind if the clearance is greater than .006, but if it’s less wouldn’t you need to take it off the ring nut?  Or maybe it’s just as east to make up a brass shim of the required width and put it in where the 0.008 shim was installed for the dry fitting. 
Thoughts?

Steve, I guess that was a mis-print in either the original text, or when it was transcribed to the Companion.
I suppose it should have said take metal off the ring nut.

1.5 - 2 thou is very small though, and parts would have to be scrupulously clean and flat to achieve it robustly - filing by hand? I have my doubts. I'd be more inclined to lap the end on a surface plate or skim it in a lathe if such a thing could be arranged.

Bob, I dare say you are right. The axle I'm looking at though has suffered from the bearings rotating on the shaft, which in turn has gradually worn about 1/8" off the end of the bearing spacer, such that the bearing retaining nut is now loose and the shaft floating hopelessly. A good case for some thoughtful application of Loctite I reckon.
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Thanks, like you say hand filing of 0.001 is beyond my skill level, maybe lapping on a sheet of glass would be an easier option