bearing question II

[TreeDoc]

This is old but the first time I read it. It would be very crucial to have that washer in place. Washers in this case distribute the load over the entire diameter of the bearing and force it evenly against the race. Without it you a putting a great deal of lateral pressure on the inner portion of the bearing only and that will cause very premature bearing wear and heat and ultimately failure in the worst place. You'll figure it all out when you feel that thud and pull as you watch an errant tire and wheel pass you by at high speed. This generally happens about halfway to the lake on the only day off you've had or will have in months.