Trouble with the rear axle

My garage is partly open to the weather. It is dry but very cold in the winter. I gave myself the flu while working in there a few months back.
After 2 months of freezing weather and holidays to warm countries, I continued work again on the Nimbus.


I had a lot of trouble assembling the rear axle and shaft gears.

I discovered that I should NOT grease up the rear shaft hub. Don't do this:

The grease nipple on the side will allow me to add grease later.

When I put the whole thing together, the wheel would not turn. It was all too tight. There several reasons for this. Too much grease in the hub and I forgot to add the shims below the bearing race on the shaft bearings.

Several months ago when I put shaft bearings in, I forgot to add the shims below the lower bearing race.

I had to take it out again. After several attempts with the torch I was able to get out both races. The paint was ruined and I will have to touch it up.

I also had to steam clean the bearings again and re-grease them.