Stubborn front axle/inside hub bearing fitment

[Coelacanth]

As usual, Grendel wants to frustrate me with the most basic tasks. Trying to install new front rotors on my '70 Charger. The rotors have new Timken bearings and races installed. The passenger side slips right on all the way with no problem. But the driver side gets stuck with a good inch of spindle remaining. I made sure both Timken bearings were the same part number. I took only the bearing from the driver side and it slid all the way onto the passenger side spindle, no fuss no muss. But when I take just that same bearing (removed from the rotor assembly) and try to press it onto the driver side spindle, it stops again with more than an inch to go.

Maybe it will just press on properly with the rotor and axle nut tightened in, but I'm afraid to damage the bearing. It's a WTF moment for sure. Anybody else encounter this? It has nothing to do with the rotor or races because it's just the bearing itself refusing to slide on easily.

 

[493 Mike]

Maybe a little smoothing with some emery cloth will convince the bearing it belongs all the way on the spindle.
Mike

 

[Coelacanth]

I'll have to measure the axle with my caliper tonight to see the difference between driver/passenger side.

 

[YY1]

What came off?

Can you try to swap sides with what came off?

Do the spindles look physically different at all?

 

[Coelacanth]

What came off?

Can you try to swap sides with what came off?

Do the spindles look physically different at all?

I bought new rotors, bearings & races, so what came off are the old groovy rotors, bearings, etc. The spindles at a glance looked identical. I didn't have time to measure the old bearing I.D.'s but I'll do that tonight, when I measure the axle O.D. I don't think the spindles were ever replaced in the past. I'd certainly find it very odd if the left & right spindles were different.

 

[RemCharger]

Check for burrs etc. Is the old bearing around to try