Rear Hub End Float Adjustment

T.R. Dearden wrote:

Hello fellow Jag fans. I'm still hunting for the cause of my vibration in the right rear hub area, and thanks to all who have replied so far with leads. As I was studying my SIII service manual, I found a procedure to test and adjust the rear hub bearing end float. It, of course, calls for a special tool. Anyone know of a way to get around the tool, or a substitute that might be more available to rent? I haven't called the dealer yet to price the gage, but I know that if there is a better/cheaper way, someone out there will know. Thanks!

I just finished replacing one set of rear bearings. What I used was a set of washers which have a smaller diameter than the inside diameter of the inner bearing, and which have a combined thickness of 0.150". I had the washers in place when pressing the bearing onto the hub shaft (using a threaded rod and flat plates). This ensured that the bearing was this distance (0.150") off the end of the shaft. You measure the end float at this point, and the copper spacer needed is = 0.150" - (measured end float) + 0.004" (i.e nominal final end float, .002"-.006" specified). It turned out that after I did the measurements, my old spacer was an O.K thickness so I reused it.

I am by no means the expert on this, but I was able to check mine with a dial indicator and the same spacer and shin used on the hub. No need for the special tool.