Method for producing axle bearing assembly having preset negative bearing clearance

A method for producing an axle bearing assembly which comprises an outer ring having a flange formed on the outer periphery thereof and two rows of raceway surfaces formed on the inner periphery thereof, an inner ring having a raceway surface formed on the outer periphery thereof in opposed relation to one of the raceway surfaces of the outer ring, an axle formed on the outer periphery thereof with a raceway surface opposed to the other raceway surface of the outer ring and also with a press-fit portion continuous therewith through a shoulder portion and adapted to have the inner ring press-fitted thereon, and two rows of balls angularly contacting with one row of the raceway surface of the outer ring and the raceway surface of the inner ring and with the other row of the raceway surface of the outer ring and the raceway surface of the axle, wherein said rows of balls of the axle bearing assembly have a preset negative bearing clearance, said method comprising the steps of:

• press-fitting the inner ring on the press-fit portion of the axle;
• once stopping the press-fitting before the inner ring abuts against the shoulder of the axle;
• measuring in this state the amount of axial movement of the outer ring when moving the outer ring axially to determine positive bearing clearance;
• and
• continuing the press-fitting by an additional amount of press-fitting stroke, said additional amount being greater than said measured amount of movement of the outer ring and set at an amount of stroke to complete the press-fitting to attain a desired preset negative bearing clearance.