Nose gear axel

[mr bill]

.002 is a lot of preload on the inner race of a bearing. As little as .0002 will be adequate for a sweat fit. Being that the bearings are held in place with spacers, a sliding fit (.001/.002 clearance) of the bearings on the axel would be more appropriate. You will need a lathe to remove that much material.

[Dave S]

When I mounted my nose wheel I recall the axel sliding right into the the bearings. There was no play but it slid right in. Knowing some of the stuff I drag my gear through, I also made sure there was a thin coating of grease on the axel, bearings bores and spacers. I may want to get the thing apart some day for repairs of some sort or a tire change.

I am estimating that the 2/1000" interference fit you are seeing is simply a confluence of circumstances regarding the manufacturing variation a person might see on the components. I'd go for a snug, but not an interference fit by working the axel down.
Cracking the bearing inner race or damaging the bearing is not beyond possibilities if forcing a significant interference fit on a small bearing like this.

Sincerely,

Dave S
KF7 Trigear
912ULS Warp Drive

St Paul, MN

[Dorsal]

I have needed to pull my nose axel twice in the last few months and will again next week (wheel pant issues). It is a tight fit but fairly easily tapped out.