Modern Vespa

Evening all
hope you all had a good Christmas, Sorry Haven't posted for for ages
Having trouble with front axle…..I tightens too tight so the front wheel doesn't spin free, the axle seems to rub on the brakes and spring??
I have the bearing and spacer on the wheel side but upon tightening other side it pulls it through too much. Any ideas?

perhaps a few pics?
might get more/better response.
this crowd loves their photos...

Pics would help. But it sounds like you may have forgotten that washer that sits on the inside of the swing arm side bearing.

When you pull the shaft out its easy not to see the washer on the end due to grease and washer being same diameter...it is located inside the hub ...prob on the bench...or on the floor...or maybe inside the hub area...and will give the 2mm you need

Thanks for the reply's. A few pics, it seems to catch on the brake spring which doesn't sit back flush because of the slight step behind it, see pic, so the spring has a bump in it. I believe I have the washers all correct, will check again in the morning.

Should the bearing shouldn't be that far back?

Washer is on swing arm side. As I tighten the nut on the swing arm side it pulls the axle through which in turn rubs on catches on the brakes and spring.

It's the welds that are catching, I think

Are we talking same washer?...this one slides over the splines on the hub and sits on the shoulder of the hub..
You put it on BEFORE you knock the hub in.The wssher willl then be located Inside hub reducing travel and giving clearance to 4 spot welds

So this is what I'm using, even when I use the thicker washer it still catches.

Here is the diagram

2018 is the felt ring
2802 bearing
15982 small spacer
2800 bearing
2007 large diameter spacer
2443 nut
2019 dust cover

Ok yes so I have the felt ring in place, so I don't need another spacer which is what I thought 2018 is, all the others are correct. So the felt ring runs against the area the axel goes through but then the problem is the axle welds are hitting the brakes so it doesn't roll freely. It feels as though the axel has to be spaced away from the hub and away from the brakes.

In the exploded diagram it looks like there is a small washer/spacer between the small bearing and the step in the axle. This would locate the axle further towards the hub side.

Yes got that one, see pic. I Just can't understand it,

That stumps me. Wait. Do you have rear brake shoes installed on the front? I may be wrong but I think the rear ones are 1-2mm wider than the front. Could that be the issue?

Doesn't that large washer now by the hub belong between the nut and bearing? Perhaps depth is actually set on the non wheel side and the way things are now prevent that?

That's not the right small spacer. 15982 is the same outside diameter as the shaft, not larger than it.

I ran into this exact same issue until I measured the shaft to the bearings, with and without the washer. I wish I would've taken pictures.

15982 goes where you have your washer but it's little and thick.

EDIT: the setup is still on the bench. I'll take it apart tomorrow and take pictures if it'll help. Just say the word...

Just measured the shoes at 17mm which I believe is correct. Got all excited for a moment then.

A photo would be great if it's not too much trouble. Thanks

I'll wait and see what qascooter photo shows. But I am baffled I have tried all different washer combinations on both sides but still can't get it right????

I agree. The axle is located by the small bearing and floats in the large bearing. The nut clamps the inner race against the small spacer/shoulder of the shaft and the dust cover/large washer locates the outer race in the swing arm. Also, if the dust cover isn't tight, the axle would not be properly located.

PS.. Every rotating shaft in a Vespa ( aside from the steering column ) is located by one of its two bearings : either by a circlip or retaining nut.
PPS.. I guess the crank essentially floats as well.

You can see it at 8:30 or so here.
Found mine buried in grease. Must have slipped off during an install.

Are you sure the smaller bearing is fully seated?

Pictures below. This is the front end of a 63 GL. Different axle but same bearing and washer configuration.

I hope it helps

Gentlemen I believe we have a winner!!
Thankyou all for your input and help.

Yes I does help, Thankyou so much, pictures do make a difference.
I didn't have the exact washer so I used a split washer of the same size as a dry run and yes I works so am just about to order the correct one. Once again many thanks. I got you a beer as a Thankyou and I was very nice 🍺🍺😉