Method for assembling rolling bearing device

An assembling method for a double-row tapered-roller bearing assembly comprising:

• an outer ring including a first outer raceway and a second outer raceway formed on an inner peripheral surface thereof;
• a hub body including a first inner raceway in opposing relation with the first outer raceway, and formed with a flange projecting diametrically outwardly from one end thereof;
• an inner ring including a second inner raceway in opposing relation with the second outer raceway, and fixedly fitted on an outer peripheral surface of the other end of the hub body;
• a plurality of first-row tapered rollers interposed between the first inner raceway and the first outer raceway;
• a first cage allowing the first-row tapered rollers to be arranged thereon at regular space intervals;
• and
• a first seal ring disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring at its end close to the first outer raceway, the method comprising:
• a first step of forming a first step member by combining a sub-assemble member with the first outer raceway of the outer ring, the sub-assemble member combining the first cage with the first-row tapered rollers;
• a second step of forming a second step member by mounting the first seal ring to the first step member;
• and
• a third step of combining the second step member with the hub body,
• wherein during the first to third steps, the individual first-row tapered rollers are supported by the first cage in a manner that in a state where the first cage is horizontally supported and has its greater diameter side positioned upwardly, all the first-row tapered rollers of the sub-assemble member have their centroids located radially outwardly with respect to the radially innermost support points on which the first-row tapered rollers are supported by the first cage.