Locking rings on Alfetta REAR wheel bearings.

[michaeljc]

I have replaced my GTV rear wheel bearings and have installed new lockrings that I got from EB Spares in UK.
The old lockrings I removed were a C-spanner type which had been slightly peaned into the relief notch in the housing.
The new lockrings are the sort with an internal hexagon but other than that they screwed in fine. However ....... the new lockrings are thinner in height than the old ones and they screw in so far that there is no shoulder left on them at the level of the notches in the housing to give them a little pean ... for safety sake of not unscrewing.

I have made a special tool for doing up the lockrings bl**dy tight but am after some experienced Alfistis views on whether:
a) it will be fine to use the new lockrings without peaning their shoulders (because I can't)
b) the new lockrings are no good and I should simply re-use the old ones (for which I also have a tool for doing them up very tight)

   Cheers .... Mike

[colcol]

Do what Alfasud and 33 owners do for front and rear wheel bearings, swap them left to right - right to left, and the chances are good that they will pull up at a different part of the nut, the internal hex on the front of a 33 wheel bearing, i beleive is the same as a Alfetta rear bearing, if the nut pulls up at the same spot in both sides, then you will have to make up a shim washer to go under the nut, if the thread pitch is say 1mm, then use a ,75 mm shim so that the nut will pull up at a different spot on the shaft, if the nut comes loose for any reason, it is usually not enough press fit on the shaft to bearing, the nut is a secondary locking device, i had a nut i put on the 33 years ago and did it up to 200lbs, loctited it, peened the nut over, came loose about 4 times, due to hub being worn out and not enough press fit on bearing, new shaft and bearing sorted that one out, and if nut comes loose, then you will hear a knocking noise on cornering, Colin.

[Domenic]

Hi,

They're meant to be peaned over. There is a slight difference in the thread on the deDion from early to late cars. EB Spares have sent you the ones for the later cars, Alfa Romeo 75/90.
I'd send them back to EB Spares and let them know they sent you the wrong ones for the car.
If you can still use the old ones, that's what i would do, or see if EB Spares can send the correct ones.
If not try the local parts guys as they will most likely have them in stock.

[michaeljc]

Just FYI ...... Reply from EB Spares was:

"Hi  and thanks for your mail.

The early style collars (with the square locks inside) have not been available for approx 15 years!

We have been supplying the later (internal hex) version for Alfa 75 all this time and have never experience this problem!

As far as I know there is no difference in thread, only the size and internal shape of the collar,

Its very strange as from my records we have supplied in excess of 30 in the last 12 months alone, and definitely 50% for Gtv!

If the old collars are OK to be re-used then I would advise that you re-use them and post the later style back to us... "

I'll check with Monza Motors but still interested in answers from those with similar experiences and ultimate resolution.