Axle Spacers, 58-72

[TomL]

I am trying to get the correct rear axle spacer, that would be the right side rear axle spacer for a 1971 FX I am putting up. I find spacers for all 58-66, 67-72 FL-FX and I find a different spacer for the 71-72 FX only! The 58-66 and 67-72 are built entirely different, single flange, from the 71-72 which has flanges at both ends but the makers of the 41595-67 copies state will fit 67-72 but the other states 71-72 only and I can find no OAL measurements. Anyone know if the single flange 2 7/16ths inches long 41595-67 is the same length as the double flanged spacer for the 71-71 FX?

Now to ad to the confusion the 41595-58 only fits 58-66 FL's, the 41595-67 only 66-72, then there's the other 41595-67 for 71-72 FX. All Big Twins from 58-72 had the same swing arm and variations to the drum brake assembly but did HD chose to make some simple change to sell 3 different spacers? Sounds like a US Auto Maker I could name! Thanks

[sswaney]

The difference in the two spacers is related to the hub change made in 1967. 1966 was the last year for the "Star" hub. 67 was the first year for the sealed type ball bearings. I would suspect that the -67 double flange type is the same length at the -67 single flange and was a running improvement to the spacer. I think they also added a dust cover over the bearing retainer nut about the same time. Hope this helps.

[sswaney]

What I refered to as a dust cover is the Wheel Bearing Locknut Retainer, part #43592-70 was used 1970-72. I'm asssuming that was when the spacer became double flanged and would be the guy your looking for.

[TomL]

Sswaney, you have it spot on. The Factory used the same part number from all info I can find for the 67-72 FL and 71-72 FX but they changed the configuration of the spacer and added the retainer nut cover for the last two years of the drum brake. I cannot find anything that says the 71-72 FL's used the double flanged spacer and the nut cover though. The two spacers are the same length as you say. Thanks for the reply, good info.