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I checked again and measured .015" play. I must have been pulling up on the bearing unevenly the first time. It will be some time before I install these bearings. If I take them apart to do modifications, the play that they have now really doesn't make any difference because it will be different when reassembled. I may try asking the manufacturer how much play is ideal. If the torque on the spindle nut is enough to pull in the bearings, the play before installation won't make a difference. If that is the case, the amount of torque used will be important. I seem to recall that the manual transmission cars need more torque when using stock bearings. I'm not sure if that will apply to these bearings.

OK, I'll try to get a money order made this weekend or next week.

I got my bearings yesterday.

One bearing has no play and the other has .015" play.

I would like to disassemble and reassemble them. Was the broken bearing cage in your photos unavoidable? I assume that during disassembly the outer seal broke the cage? Where was that large snap ring and what does it do? Will the manufacturer sell spare parts?

I'm thinking that if you disassemble the bearing, you can make a test setup like the mid 60's rear wheel bearings and measure the play and put in shims to space the bearings before doing the permanent installation.

Some people may get the idea that I wanted to disassemble the bearing to get rid of the play. That can be done without disassembly. I'm wondering if that won't even happen when you torque down the spindle. I do wonder also if some play is not a good thing. The reason I want to disassemble has nothing to do with play or the bearings. Maybe I should have asked if I could purchase the bearing not fully assembled or if they could vary the design for one customer. I have 5/16" spacers for my wheels and was considering taking the bearing apart and seeing if a machine shop could extend the part that goes into the wheel so the studs don't have to support all of the load. I don't really know if that is a concern because fricition between the wheel and spacer may provide support.