Everything you need to know is found in the link at the bottom of my reply.

It even mentions that the pre 1991 wheels use different length center hub spacers to adjust the end play of the Timken bearings. I don't see a reason why you couldn't use shims/spacers like the 1991 on set up. Maybe someone else can chime in on that.

Note the "shoulder" on the green spacer washer. That is designed so it only touches the inner race of the bearing and NOT the roller cage. The center tube type spacer (yellow) along with the shims and spacer washer are designed to prevent lateral load on the rollers of the bearings. The link below starts with sealed bearings, but then discusses tapered bearings in detail. While it is a long article, it is great resource to understand how the set up works. Tapered bearings can be tedious to set up but are very durable.

The article is for sportsters, but the is info is the same.





http://sportsterpedia.com/doku.php/t...earing_spacers

 

Where do get the long spacers? It would be nice to bypass the shims.

 

Sometimes... I simply make one from steel DOM, thin wall BTW. There was a parts supplier out there who offered them also.. No. I cannot recall, but probably Ted's V-Twin, NOS stuff I bet. But, In this application, I find it hard to see how the Chiwanese can screw this up...
I had Never even Heard of no Shims till this thread... No Way I am Screwing with such a Setup...

 

I know a person that did it.
He bought some 6" center spacers and slowly ground them down until he had an exact fit.
It takes a while and many checks but it is doable.

 

If you don`t have a machine, you use shims, the dealer sells them.

It takes about a minute to adjust the end play with a shim when doing the job, versus pulling the spacer out and going to a milling machine...

Of course if your center spacer is too long, you are going to the mill anyway.

Spacer Part Numbers:

43294-82 .002"
43293-82 .004"
43292-82 .008"
43291-82 .016"
43290-82 .032"

 

Apologies for the misunderstanding... I never heard of Using Shims... I have Always made the correct Spacer..
Scared there is Nothing to "hold" the Shim in Place if the Axle is pulled I guess..
If it can be FUBAR'd I can do it..

 

How many different spacer lengths are there? I have 91 and 97 wheels in 16 and 19 inches.

I have to pick up some metal next week and I'll add DOM to my list and put on the rack. Next tire changes and all my shims go away.

 

Good Question... Probably Many from our [ex]Shop!!! Note; I do Not do this to get the endplay tighter... The book is Generous... But I do Not go tighter...certainly never Looser Either tho... There are Tolerances for a reason... Not just because I am sometimes a bit Sloppy!!!!