Should the Brake Drum "Float" Without the Cush Drive Rubbers?

Dan1950 · Sep 24, 2021

Had a little faux paus the other day on my initial ride. Seems that the rear brake pedal was adjusted a bit high for my riding position and I rode the brake long enough to compromise the cush drive rubbers.

I tore the hub down to investigate any further damage and found that wonderful puzzle of spacers, bearing, retainers felt washers etc, etc. Seems some parts were missing but I thought I had everything that was important to bring things together without slop. I reassembled the wheel/hub this morning sans the cush drive rubbers and although the wheel has drawn up without play, the brake drum seems to "float".

Is this normal? Will the cush drive rubbers keep the drum in the proper relationship with the backing plate?

elefantrider · Sep 24, 2021

You need the rubbers or the drum paddles will destroy the hub.

Derek Wilson · Sep 24, 2021

Without the wheel fitted, there will be a bit of "float" in the drum. I have never refitted a wheel without cush drive rubbers, so I cannot comment, but once the rubbers are in place, the drum is pretty rigidly located.

I take it you removed the bearing from the drum? Cleaned, inspected, and repacked?

Don't know it that answers your question...

Dan1950 · Sep 24, 2021

elefantrider said:
You need the rubbers or the drum paddles will destroy the hub.

Not planning on doing that. I was just doing some trial fitting to see if the missing parts (felt washer/retainers) would affect things. My cush drive rubbers are due in on Monday.

Dan1950 · Sep 24, 2021

Derek Wilson said:
I take it you removed the bearing from the drum? Cleaned, inspected, and repacked?

Yes, that's when I discovered missing items. All related to grease retention. Bearing is serviceable for the short term.

I'm going to order all of the missing parts with a new bearing from Andover but want to ride in the mean time.

My cush drive rubbers are due in on Monday.

Derek Wilson · Sep 24, 2021

Dan1950 said:
Yes, that's when I discovered missing items. All related to grease retention. Bearing is serviceable for the short term.

I'm going to order all of the missing parts with a new bearing from Andover but want to ride in the mean time.

My cush drive rubbers are due in on Monday.

You might try Walridge Motors as well - they are not too far away from you, and may be quicker / less shipping cost.

Also - the bearing is a 4203, which is available from most bearing shops.

jbruney · Sep 24, 2021

Resist the temptation to ride without good cush pads.

When I was in there last year I purchased a new bearing.. Didn't use it though because it had plastic cage. Thoroughly cleaned the original, found it good, repacked, still in service, boxed and stored new one as an emergency spare.

elefantrider · Sep 24, 2021

The wheel hub should always be flush with the drum. If there is a gap, the bearing arrangement is probably incorrect.

I have seen before a double wide bearing in the wheel hub and the single wide in the drum!

Dan1950 · Sep 24, 2021

jbruney said:
Resist the temptation to ride without good cush pads.

Again, I'm not going to do that. My cush drive rubbers are due in on Monday. I've been riding and wrenching for a good portion of my adult life.

Besides, I'm packing up for 2 day camping/hiking trip with the local Boy Scout troop of which I am an assistant scoutmaster. My parts should be here when I get back.

Guido · Sep 24, 2021

They make sealed bearings. Use them and eliminate the felt seal crap setup. I have a box of felts and retainers that I no longer use. Going with the felt system is a step back in time. Upgrade to sealed bearings.

YING · Sep 25, 2021

Guido said:
They make sealed bearings. Use them and eliminate the felt seal crap setup. I have a box of felts and retainers that I no longer use. Going with the felt system is a step back in time. Upgrade to sealed bearings.

Dan,
Go with what Guido says and just use the sealed bearings.All 3 are very available and like he says it gets rid of all the felts,etc.Just my 2 cents

concours · Sep 25, 2021

Dan1950 said:
Yes, that's when I discovered missing items. All related to grease retention. Bearing is serviceable for the short term.

I'm going to order all of the missing parts with a new bearing from Andover but want to ride in the mean time.

My cush drive rubbers are due in on Monday.

Yes Dan, the design dictates the rotational "float" you mention.
That is the design goal.
Put rubbers in & enjoy.

Dan1950 · Sep 26, 2021

concours said:
Yes Dan, the design dictates the rotational "float" you mention.
That is the design goal.
Put rubbers in & enjoy.

It is not rotational float I am concerned with. it is lateral float.

concours · Sep 26, 2021

Dan1950 said:
It is not rotational float I am concerned with. it is lateral float.

Nope. That distance is all set up hard when the long axle is tightened. Something is missing. Beware, IIRC, the exploded drawing in the parts books are inaccurate.

BERT · Sep 26, 2021

Dan, if you search post#449547 there is a very helpful diagram of the rear axle assembly order of components which I found to be much easier to understand than the parts catalogue schematic.

Dan1950 · Sep 26, 2021

BERT said:
Dan, if you search post#449547 there is a very helpful diagram of the rear axle assembly order of components which I found to be much easier to understand than the parts catalogue schematic.

Hoe do I find that post?

BERT · Sep 26, 2021

Dan1950 said:
Hoe do I find that post?

Tap or click on Search(little magnifying glass top-right of the page), then enter that post number, then a list of threads will appear. Tap/click on " rear wheel bearings" thread. You will see Tornado's post. The redirection to the diagram is at the bottom, look for that # then tap/click on it.

Dan1950 · Sep 26, 2021

BERT said:
Tap or click on Search(little magnifying glass top-right of the page), then enter that post number, then a list of threads will appear, then look for that post number on any of the threads, then tap /click on that one.

Yes I found the post but it doesn't really answer my question. The hub and stub axle pull up solid without and play but without the cush drive rubbers the brake drum doesn't draw up tight to the backing plate like it should

BERT · Sep 26, 2021

Did you find the diagram? I edited my last post for a direction right to the diagram.
Hope this helps...

L.A.B. · Sep 27, 2021

BERT said:
Did you find the diagram? I edited my last post for a direction right to the diagram.
Hope this helps...

To direct to a particular post, hover the cursor over the three joined rings 'Share' symbol at the top right of that post...

Should the Brake Drum "Float" Without the Cush Drive Rubbers?

...then, select...

...and 'paste' the copied URL into your message, thus:

Front and Rear Hub Bearing Removal (2010)

The manual may be wrong there, when you pound in the bearing through the center, you are putting stress on the balls and the races, that type of bearing is not designed to take that stress. You should use a socket (or something) that pushes on the outside of the bearing (in this case). Jean...

www.accessnorton.com

Dan1950 said:
Yes I found the post but it doesn't really answer my question. The hub and stub axle pull up solid without and play but without the cush drive rubbers the brake drum doesn't draw up tight to the backing plate like it should

The complete thread containing that post might be useful?...

Front and Rear Hub Bearing Removal (2010)

The manual isn't too bad with instruction but I do like more pictures. The victim. Although I started with the rear for this I'll start with the front. Remove the lockring. Mine was really tight. So I applied some heat which did the trick. I had to use a punch but it didn't take much to...

www.accessnorton.com

...or the one below but without pictures or dimensions of the parts you have then it's difficult to know what the problem could be?

Rear Axle Puzzle

Swooshdave, I feel your infection with fever and chills. First error was thinking you acquired an ordinary motorcycle to just follow manual like prior projects and all will be well LOL! Its been years since I had your same symptoms so I forget the exact cure for my '72, but here's a photo of...

www.accessnorton.com

Should the Brake Drum "Float" Without the Cush Drive Rubbers?

Dan1950

1974 MK II Roadster

elefantrider

Derek Wilson

Dan1950

1974 MK II Roadster

Dan1950

1974 MK II Roadster

Derek Wilson

jbruney

elefantrider

Dan1950

1974 MK II Roadster

Guido

YING

Pittsboro,NC

concours

Dan1950

1974 MK II Roadster

concours

BERT

Dan1950

1974 MK II Roadster

BERT

Dan1950

1974 MK II Roadster

BERT

L.A.B.

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Front and Rear Hub Bearing Removal (2010)

Front and Rear Hub Bearing Removal (2010)

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