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Adjusting wheel bearings.

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Paul (WI)

03-09-2003 20:39:49




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I am looking for some ideas on adusting the wheel bearings on a trailer with 3500 # Dexter axles. The bearing adjuster nut is fairly large and the slots in the nut where the cotter pin goes through are spaced fairly far apart. When adjusting, it is hard to get an adjustment that is not either too tight or too loose. Can a timken bearing be adjusted with a little preload? When I snug the bearing up and then back it off and locate the nut so that the cotter pin will go through the bearing, it ends up being too loose. I can actually rock the wheel slightly because of bearing play. How does everybody else adjust these bearings?

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DaveCA. Timken Links

03-11-2003 05:47:14




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 Re: Adjusting wheel bearings. in reply to Paul (WI), 03-09-2003 20:39:49  
Two links here of Timken tapered roller brng adjustment procedures from the horses mouth.

Link



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Dave CA. Timken Wheel Bearing Adj Link

03-11-2003 05:53:39




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 Re: Re: Adjusting wheel bearings. in reply to DaveCA. Timken Links, 03-11-2003 05:47:14  
2nd link from previous post.



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Greg

03-10-2003 18:01:31




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 Re: Adjusting wheel bearings. in reply to Paul (WI), 03-09-2003 20:39:49  
This is from a Federal-Mogul box I came across years ago and I`ve found it to be the ONLY 100% bearing setting there is!!!!! ! "While rotating weel, torque adjstng nut to 150 ft.lbs. on double nut drive and trailer axles or 100 ft. lbs. on front wheel and single nut applications. Back nut off 1/2 turn and retorque to 50 ft. lbs. Complete adjustment on double nut drve and trailer axles by installing lock plate and torquing jam nut to 200-250 ft. lbs. On double nut front wheel applications back adjustng nut off 1/6 to 1/4 turn, install lock pate and torque jam nut to 100 ft. lbs. On single nut applications, back off adjusting nut 1/6 turn or to the first cotter pin hole and pin." This will be a perfect preload and it is easy to duplicate on each wheel. This assuming that the bearings are in usable condition and packed properly with grease.

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Ray,IN

03-10-2003 17:56:07




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 Re: Adjusting wheel bearings. in reply to Paul (WI), 03-09-2003 20:39:49  
The Dexter axle website has instructions on this. Here's another site with info.: http://www.babcox.com/editorial/cm/cm69816.htm



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Tom

03-10-2003 16:57:56




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 Re: Adjusting wheel bearings. in reply to Paul (WI), 03-09-2003 20:39:49  
I have always, (since late 60s) tightened up the nut until it was tight, maybe 10,12 lbs. ft. Then backed off and brought it back up until all play was gone, maybe finger tight. Grabed wheel and shook it, looking for play. My object is to get the bearings adjusted with no play, but not preloaded more than just a tiny bit. I have never had a bearing problem and some of my vehicles have gone well over 200,000. And sometimes, because I am easy on brakes I go a LONG time between bearing service. Mayve 1000,000, or more miles. Like I said, never a problem. I use a good grease and clean everything spotless and adjust as I said.

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Leroy

03-10-2003 16:52:10




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 Re: Adjusting wheel bearings. in reply to Paul (WI), 03-09-2003 20:39:49  
To me it sounds like your bearings are wore out and in need of replacement, take them out and wash them up, then check for wear, I think that is why you can't get them adjusted



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fred kobs

03-10-2003 15:12:40




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 Re: Adjusting wheel bearings. in reply to Paul (WI), 03-09-2003 20:39:49  
I have had the problem you describe, you can buy nuts with more notches or I have found thin(tin?) washers at the local farm supply. The washers were right beside the new castallated(?)nuts.



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Paul (WI)

03-10-2003 21:38:35




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 Re: Re: Adjusting wheel bearings. in reply to fred kobs, 03-10-2003 15:12:40  
I am glad that you mentioned that adjusting nuts with closer spaced notches are available. On the standard nuts the notches are spaced too far apart and the nut has to be backed off too far in order to get the cotter pin in. Ford cars from the 60's , 70's and probably later have a cap with notches that slips over the nut. I have heard it called the educated nut. It is almost infinitely variable because it can be placed on the nut wherever needed to get the cotter pin to line up at the proper adjustment. It is easy to get a good adjustment on these bearings.

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thurlow

03-10-2003 13:38:00




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 Re: Adjusting wheel bearings. in reply to Paul (WI), 03-09-2003 20:39:49  
Not a LOT of difference in what Nolan and Don are telling you; personally, I've always adjusted (roller) bearings just as Don suggested; can't quote any technical reasons; just decades of personal experience, but I've never had a bearing to fail just because it was a smidgen loose.



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mj

03-10-2003 15:09:57




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 Re: Re: Adjusting wheel bearings. in reply to thurlow, 03-10-2003 13:38:00  
Years ago (too many, now!) I read a report in a technical journal about tests done by the Calif. Highway Patrol as to bearing life versus degree of wheel-bearing play or preload which they needed due to long, high speed runs in desert heat. At that time, early sixties, they were setting bearings at somewhere around 8 to 10 lbs-ft of preload torque as a result of their previous data. I had a '67 CJ-5 with a V-6 and overdrive that was used at highway speeds (60-70 mph) to the mountains and back with miles of low-range 4-WD work in between. On one trip several of us stopped at the beginning of the 'rough-stuff' for a break and I mentioned how I'd set the front wheel bearings as described. One of my buddies had a similar Jeep set 'loose' and he 'opined' that preloading must surely cause the bearing to overheat. We felt the hubs on both units and HIS were quite warm to the touch; mine were close to ambient temperature. I sold this CJ years later with 97,000 miles on it and the original wheel bearings still rollin' along. Since then, faced with the situation that you describe, I always take the next notch towards the tight side. Just my experience.....

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mj

03-10-2003 15:08:22




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 Re: Re: Adjusting wheel bearings. in reply to thurlow, 03-10-2003 13:38:00  
Years ago (too many, now!) I read a report in a technical journal about tests done by the Calif. Highway Patrol as to bearing life versus degree of wheel-bearing play or preload which they needed due to long, high speed runs in desert heat. At that time, early sixties, they were setting bearings at somewhere around 8 to 10 lbs-ft of preload torque as a result of their previous data. I had a '67 CJ-5 with a V-6 and overdrive that was used at highway speeds (60-70 mph) to the mountains and back with miles of low-range 4-WD work in between. On one trip several of us stopped at the beginning of the 'rough-stuff' for a break and I mentioned how I'd set the front wheel bearings as described. One of my buddies had a similar Jeep set 'loose' and he 'opined' that preloading must surely cause the bearing to overheat. We felt the hubs on both units and HIS were quite warm to the touch; mine were close to ambient temperature. I sold this CJ years later with 97,000 miles on it and the original wheel bearings still rollin' along. Since then, faced with the situation that you describe, I always take the next notch towards the tight side. Just my experience.....

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Nolan

03-10-2003 04:14:42




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 Re: Adjusting wheel bearings. in reply to Paul (WI), 03-09-2003 20:39:49  
Wheel bearing pre-load varies tremendously, for reasions I do not understand. I've got one car that calls for wheels that rattle, another that calls for 5 lbs of weight to make the wheel be able to turn. Go figure.

Most of the modern wheel specs to call for some degree of tightness. As such, I would be inclined to run the castle nut until play is taken out, and then run it tighter to position it.

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Don LC

03-09-2003 21:19:56




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 Re: Adjusting wheel bearings. in reply to Paul (WI), 03-09-2003 20:39:49  
Paul,
What I was taught to do some 50 years ago, by a good mech.,(taper or roller bearing) is after packing the bearing with wheel bearing grease..... .turn the wheel forward with on hand,while snugging up the nut with a wrench.....don't lay into it,just snug.....back it off too the first hole and put the key in....grab the wheel at the top and shake it back and fourth.....you should feel a little loose movement....if you would like it a little tighter or more loose use the wrench and run the nut tight against the cotter key...be sure to use a new key of the correct size...spread the key...put the dust cover back on..... Ihave never messed up a bearing..... ...(note no play on a ball bearing)

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Fred OH

03-11-2003 09:41:12




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 Re: Re: Adjusting wheel bearings. in reply to Don LC, 03-09-2003 21:19:56  
In my own personal method...when replacing wheel bearings...I put it back together, bring the nut up snug...and then take a four pound hammer and rap on the face of the tire pretty good in about four places...in case one of the races bounced back a little when driven on. Makes sure everything is seated well...then adjust nut to your method. I think it would change...somewhat...if using brakes a lot and heat expansion had it's effect. L8R....Fred OH

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