Hitchcocks Forum

Have just fitted back wheel with new bearings, including the drum hub one, all rotates freely, and as far as I can deduce everything where it should be... pushing bike backwards even very slowly I got a banshee squeal from hub, forwards okay, everything seemed free and brakes fine so I went for a ride and upon return it makes the noise in either direction! Since it did this before doing the bearings (which didn't seem worn) as well I am not sure that they are to blame, the brake back plate seems clear of the drum, slackening off adjuster makes no difference. I'm just suddenly wondering if the big flat washer should go inside the backplate against the oil seal spacer rather than outside, where I have it at the moment? Any other ideas??

I am even more confused now, looking at Mr H's parts book it indicates things in an entirely different order to what I found, and replaced:
"2000 350cc Bullet Export"
Page 35 - Rear Hub

Are 16,17 and 18 shown in reverse order??? Mine has bearing innermost, followed by oil seal and then spacer fits in seal which is then nearest chain side of bike ie backplate. Surely that is correct?
Hmm,

Never having stripped one out, I can't really help.. BUT.. someone may have done yours before and bodged the job. Which is "what you found".. and replaced.

If I had an authoratative handbook, I'd be inclined to rebuild from the relevant drawings.

Thanks for reply Exile; having confirmed all is in correct order I can only suspect that the spacer in main hub may have distorted/compressed allowing lateral pressure on bearings - fortunately I have another spare set on the shelf, so will pull it apart to check!
Certainly my suspicions are confirmed that the parts diagram may indeed be misleading......anyone else notice this?

Hi p,
My workshop manual says bearing into housing first, then the seal. (This makes sense, as you want to keep bearing grease out of the brake drum, - although it will stop any squeak!)After this comes the distance collar ( A sort of ring thing, like a tube offcut), then the brake plate. (The bit you can see from the outside, with the actuator arm on it). After that, on the outside of the brake plate, is your washer, (rear hub distance collar) with the snail adjuster on top of it. The rest you probably know.
Interestingly, - There is a small O ring under the cushdrive on top of the journal bearing. They call this a "barred O ring" in the book, Maybe it is singing a medaeval ballad of the bikes past exploits. Or a satire on it current poor state....

Hope you nail it.
Zippy.

I forgot to mention. make sure your wheel labyrinth is clean and has a clearance. this can be a cause of squeals and squeaks.

Looks to me that the big flat washer aka Distance Collar should be fitted inside brake plate.

You got in before me Zippy ! maybe I'm not right but to me the rear brakes on all 350/500 Bullets are the same & need a distance piece between the bearing & brake plate

There are 2 distance collar. The thicker more "tubey" one inside, over the seal. The second "washery" one goes against the outside of the brakeplate, with the snail adjuster over it...

Very simple, bearing, distance piece bearing to backing plate, backing plate,washer on the outside