While getting ready to put the bearings into the wheels, I decided to study them first as these sealed bearings are different than the tapered bearings I have been installing in Harley wheels for years. What I saw is that the compression line through the rear wheel when the axle is tightened is through the spacer in the final drive, inner race of right wheel bearing, wheel spacer, inner race of right wheel bearing, side collar, brake caliper mount and swing arm. This made me see that 81 foot lbs of torque applied as compression through the inner races of the bearings made the bearing placement in the wheel critical.

If they are installed without proper compression of the wheel spacer by the inner races, when the axle is tightened, it will pull the inner races in relation to the outer and cause the balls to be tight against the sides of the races probable leading to premature failure.
If they are installed with pressure on the outer race only, ( like hammering them in with a socket ) when the inner spacer is contacted by the wheel spacer, and further pressure is applied to the outer race, again this will force the balls to be tight against the sides if the races and probably lead to premature failure.
I have come to the conclusion that the only proper way to install these bearings is to support both races on an parallel plane while pulling or pressing them into place (as the Honda shop tool will do). I also believe that the first bearing installed must be supported on both races as the second bearing is installed to keep the wheel spacer from displacing the inner race of the first installed bearing as the second is being seated.
I cut these out of brass to do the job, but there is probably a hundred ways to go about doing it. I think the critical step is insuring that both races of both bearings are supported when pressing/pulling or hammering them in.


