Rear inner hub bearing fit

[Tony Press]

Doing the other side of the RN rear hubs now.

The new (sealed) bearing is a nice push fit into the inner hub, but is reluctant to push onto the axle. I don't want to wind it on with the big flat nut, because everybody says the nut should just pinch up, and anyway it won't push on far enough to pick up adequate thread..

So what sort of  fit should it be:

a) hand push
b) gentle tap
c) serious whack?

Assuming the answer is a) or b), should I ease the inner wall of the bearing with emery paper?

A rule of thumb with bearings:  rotating inner ring tight fit , stationary inner ring loose fit 

Thus the rear wheel hub bearing can be a light push fit. It can also be a tighter fit if bearing and axle tube are on the minimum and maximum tolerances, but a good drive on with a tubular drift  should fit it without using emery paper on the bearing bore.

Talking of the rear axle tube I have been asked for any advice on problems with building up and re-machining a bent axle. Is the tube of any special steel from Forum experience.