Flavia wheel bearings

[Michael Findlay]

I have fitted the Flavia's hubs again and the problem of excessive play at the wheel rim has been solved but not without some effort and expense. The new reproduction bearings I purchased definitely come with an unacceptable amount of lateral run out and the inner ring needs to be machined to get rid of it. I had an engineer surface grind .05mm from each inner face so that when the bearing is clamped by the axle ring nut there is no sideways movement. My advice to anyone purchasing new bearings is to check and see that they have an SKF or FAG mark in which case that are old stock and most likely okay or carry out a test to check the internal clearances. The easiest way is to clamp the inner ring in the vice and see if you can rock the outer ring sideways. If you detect any lateral movement the bearing should be modified accordingly. Measure the movement with a dial gauge and split the difference between the two inner rings, i.e if there is .1mm play, shave .05 off both inner faces.

[Huib]

Good to hear that you solved the problem.I was wondering how you would split the play between the two sides. Fifty fifty between the two rings is logical but a gamble nevertheless.

Did you count the number of balls? And measure their diameter? I was wondering if there are maybe oversize balls as an alternative way of solving the problem.

Note that FAG and SKF have produced new batches of bearings over the years. Also one does occasionally stumble on NOS bearings made by RIV before that company was taken over by SKF.

[Michael Findlay]

Yes, it is a bit of a bodge and I did not like doing it but I could not come up with another solution. I discussed it with various bearing dealers and I thought it was worth a shot. I have since heard from a couple of Lancisti who are holding onto similar items and I would like to get a sense if these bearings are faulty as a batch or if I was unlucky.

[Huib]

I look forward to hearing more.

Another question is the quality and hardness of the steel, which I suppose can only be found out over time.

[Michael Findlay]

I have driven another 500 kms on the modified wheel bearings and no sign of trouble yet. I am seeing these bearings for sale everywhere now at a price of 160EUR. My advice is to check them for lateral movement before you fit them and be prepared for some machining costs unless you are lucky enough to have a surface grinder. My engineer charged the equivalent of 40EUR to reduce the width of the inner ring so it is not a big deal. I will report on early wear if there is any.

[Huib]

Good to hear that, Michael.
Another solution might be to get oversize balls. It seems logical that someone makes these in increments of 0.001" . No idea if this is true and if so, who makes them.

[scarmike]

I am dealing with a similar situation at the moment. Have a 1968 Flavia. Just drove it 6000 miles and after an inspection the bearings are very loose. Three shops her ein spain that are familair with classic cars but not Lancia have said the bearings need to be replaced but the bearinging were replaced by the previous owner less than 10,000 km ago and they look good as new to my eye. Is there something that the mechanics here would not know to do to tighten down the bearings and make everything sit tight? Do they really need special tools? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

[Michael Findlay]

I have not checked the forum for a while and have just seen your message. I am not sure if my cure will work with bearings that have existing wear and it may be better to take your mechanic's advice and replace them. The bearings I bought new for my Flavia were fine except they had too much lateral movement. When everything was tightened up on the car there was still a lot of play at the wheel rim although the bearing was unworn. I got an engineer to remove .005mm from each half of the inner ring (the two piece part in the centre of the bearing) and that brought the bearing back into tolerance. It did not cost much and the bearings have now gone 5500 KMs without problems. You do need special tools to tighten the retaining ring nuts in the hub carrier and the drive shafts. They will work loose if not tightened fully and will cause further problems. I hope you have got things sorted out by now.

Regards,

Michael Findlay
1963 Lancia Flavia 1800 Coupe