The Hub rotates. The Spindle is stationary, with the shaft passing through it. Hub Bearing (Front Wheel Bearing) is between the spindle and the hub (outside the spindle). The Spindle Bearing is between the spindle and the shaft (inside the spindle).
The spindle bearing is on the inside/backside of the hub/spindle assembly. It supports the CV-shaft (or drive-shaft if you use the FSM lingo), between the splines in the hub's drive flange and the outer CV joint. Thing is that there is a little clearance between the shaft and the hub (in the splines), and that little "give" is supported/stabilized by the spindle bearing.
Since the clearance in the splines is so small, it is difficult to feel that the bearing is loose by moving the shaft sideways. Additionally, there is a brass washer next to the needle spindle-bearing which also supports the shaft if the needles are gone.
So, I thought I could sense slightly more lateral movement in the lhs shaft than the right; and there was a "dirtier" sound. I therefore removed the hub C-clip and one ball-joint, and swung the whole hub/spindle assembly out, off the CV-shaft.
The whole bearing was disintegrated. Only small fragments of the needles were left. Now, this bearing was not in stock locally, not in Europe at all. Took something like 3 weeks to get a new one from JP.
(This was one year ago. Found it in stock in oz, but was promised shorter delivery time by stealer at first, so didn't order from down under) (Found the make and size of the bearing, and looked it up in the manufacturer's catalog, but was told by national representative that this item was only made by special order from TMC, and not sold through other channels)
Because the needles where gone, the shaft was badly scored and worn. So I had to change the CV shaft as well. Luckily had one from my 2000. Took the opportunity to change the boots as well.
LHS good as new
