What to do with bearings that don't quite fit?

[Coelacanth]

Here's a topic I haven't really seen discussed...I picked up some JPS front wheels that closely match a nice set of rears that are meant for old-style Kyosho taper-fit axles. The wheels are machined to accept bearings. Now here's the weird-ass thing: the wheel bearing hole diameter is just about 9.5mm. To my knowledge, no metric RC bearing exists in that size. However, that's pretty much the outside diameter of a 3/8" Standard-sized bearing; ~= 9.525mm. Problem is, I'm using 5mm axles.

I've already discovered that using the closest standard-sized axles, 3/16" = 4.763mm, are too small for 5mm I.D. bearings, even only a quarter of a millimeter is too much play.

So, other than filing or grinding the 3/8" aluminum wheel bearing holes a bit wider to accept the 10mm bearing, and keeping the 5mm axles, is there anything you can do with a 5 x 9mm bearing to make it just big enough to snugly fit inside the 3/8" hole? Of course, I've never seen a bearing that has metric 5mm I.D. and SAE 3/8" O.D. or else I'd buy some.

[scr8p]

wrap a piece of tape around the outside? piece of shrink tube?

[Coelacanth]

Shrink tube might do the trick. Thanks, I'll give that a try. I'd rather do something to the bearings than modify rare aluminum wheels.

[justinspeed79]

I have used aluminum foil for the same situation in bearing races in aluminum tranny cases that eventually get wallowed out from normal use. I have had good luck with it.

[Phin]

What about borrowing steering knuckles from another car, or modifying your existing steering knuckle to accept 3/16" axles?

[Coelacanth]

What about borrowing steering knuckles from another car, or modifying your existing steering knuckle to accept 3/16" axles?

That's not an option considering I'm already using off-brand front end parts that were carefully chosen just so that they'd work together. The last thing I want to do with this car is run ANYTHING Standard-sized, if at all possible, because then I'm not just replacing the knuckles, I'm replacing the carriers and possibly the arms & hinge pins too, not to mention anything threaded into the parts like ball studs that would be 4-40 instead of 3mm, etc., etc...and have to go through a long process of trying to find new parts that will all fit together.

[kink]

Another option: go on Ebay and buy a small tube of Loctite 270 (or 271 - same thing). It is designed to act as a bearing grip for worn bearing holes. It acts like an adhesive, but also it expands as it sets, gripping the bearing like a vice. I have some here in case I ever need it. Threadlock may be similar, but this product is designed specifically for bearing use.

[jwscab]

you can also buy shim stock in the appropriate thickness. it's called feeler gauge stock and comes in 1ft lengths. I typically cut a length and width with scissors and wrap as desired. You can get it in .001" increments.

[Coelacanth]

you can also buy shim stock in the appropriate thickness. it's called feeler gauge stock and comes in 1ft lengths. I typically cut a length and width with scissors and wrap as desired. You can get it in .001" increments.

I like that idea even more as it probably wouldn't wear as fast as rubber/tape. Where would you buy that stuff? Never even heard of it until now.

[Y'ernat Al]

you can also buy shim stock in the appropriate thickness. it's called feeler gauge stock and comes in 1ft lengths. I typically cut a length and width with scissors and wrap as desired. You can get it in .001" increments.

I like that idea even more as it probably wouldn't wear as fast as rubber/tape. Where would you buy that stuff? Never even heard of it until now.

I'd take scissors to an aluminum can and cut a strip the width of the bearing. You can wrap it around once, and another time if that ain't enough. Any beer or soda is fine, just not light or diet

[RedScampi]

you can also buy shim stock in the appropriate thickness. it's called feeler gauge stock and comes in 1ft lengths. I typically cut a length and width with scissors and wrap as desired. You can get it in .001" increments.

I like that idea even more as it probably wouldn't wear as fast as rubber/tape. Where would you buy that stuff? Never even heard of it until now.

Here's some peelable shim stock. They use this kind of thing at the Lazy B, where I work.
http://www.accutrex.com/accupeel_laminated_shims.html

[highwayracer]

Marc,

I've been there before. I bought some brass tubing that was 3/16 in diameter. I then cut a piece that was the same length of the axle...and then cut a channel down the entire length. You can then fit it over the axle and it will take up the slack so you can use the 5mm bearing. If it's still a little thick, you can reduce the diameter by sanding/filing it.

Regards,
Roger

[Coelacanth]

Marc,

I've been there before. I bought some brass tubing that was 3/16 in diameter. I then cut a piece that was the same length of the axle...and then cut a channel down the entire length. You can then fit it over the axle and it will take up the slack so you can use the 5mm bearing. If it's still a little thick, you can reduce the diameter by sanding/filing it.

That's a great idea for those bearings with a little too much I.D.

[Stumpy]

You could use some 3/8 OD tube, with a suitable wall thickness, that will enable you to use a more common bearing size, such as 8mm x 5mm (Tamiya 850)..

A quick search and I found this tube http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXPL68&P=7

With its 3/8 OD. and wall thickness, I have roughly calculated the ID. to be approx 8.1mm..

If you have sufficient length in the stub axles, you could use 8mm x 5mm flanged bearings.. The flange would hold the "spacer" in place, and also hide (to some extent) the spacer from view..

Mark.

[jwscab]

aluminum soft drink can is about .004" so it will work if you need to make sometime bigger by multiples of .004".

mcmaster-carr carries feeler gauge stock not sure if they sell to canada. but any industrial place should have it.

for example:
http://www.mcmaster.com/#feeler-gauge-stock/=mdhc4j

see if that works and you can see the table of feeler gauge stock.