I’m replacing the bearings on a DWT spindle mount wheel. I’ve removed the bearings and noticed a lack of a crush spacer between them. I tried calling DWT about this but couldn’t get though to anyone, so I sent a message.
Does anyone know if the DWT spindle mount wheels come with a spacer that sits wheel the bearings?
I don’t know exactly but I would guess the spacer is only needed if there is nothing to stop the bearing. Does the wheel have a lip or recess that stops the bearing when its pressed in?
There is a lip on the wheel for a bearing stop, but that only stops the outer race. Ideally, you’d want a crush spacer between the inner races so that the clampload of the nut on the stub end doesn’t put a side load into the bearings. This also loads up both bearings in a turn. For comparison: the Freeline hubs on my AM29 have such a spacer between the bearings.
UPDATE: Talked to DWT and they don’t have or use a spacer for their spindle mount wheels.
Very few wheels & hubs use that spacer in between the bearings for thrust load. The ones that do are usually a pain to mount on the spindle since the space falls down because it’s not held in place axially.
Edit: Missed your mention of Freeline, one of the few that has them. I was surprised when my OTK ones did not
My OTK front wheels have the cylindrical spacer for the bearing inner race.
I think most have these sparers today.
Its much easier to tighten the nut correctly without doing damage to the bearing.
Both bearings take sideways load.
It should be easy to make some that fits, to keep them centered in the hub i put on two rubber orings, or tape. That way you dont have to fight it when installing the hub on the spindel.
Thanks for the replies, all. I’m going to make my own spacers for the DWT wheels.