Truck wheel bearing preload

Rick(MN) · Mar 11, 2010

Looks like no work for the truck today, so going to brakes, drums, brake chambers and wheel seals on the Kenworth. Have always set the wheel bearing preload by feel in the past, but they tell me the torque method a more accurate way to do this. Can someone refresh my memory as to the torque method? Oh, by the way, the truck hauled a new McCormick MX135 yesterday so it is remotely tractor related. Thanks

Bob M · Mar 11, 2010

Rick - When I did the steer wheel bearings on my Kenworth K100 a few years ago I set the bearings by feel: Tighten to 100 ft-lb or so, rotate the wheel a couple revs in both directions, loosen, then retighten one flat (1/6 turn) past where play at the wheel rim disappears. Seems have worked fine.

However I've since stumbled a more precise wheel bearing adjustment by Stemco at the link below. It's what I'll use next time!
wheel bearing adjustment

Bob · Mar 11, 2010

I'm glad to see that links backs up what I have posted on here before... the bearings are NOT actually left "pre-loaded".

They show an acceptable measured endplay of .001" to .005" after the adjustment procedure is completed.

Rick(MN) · Mar 11, 2010

Bob...thats the way I've always done them as well. But its been a few years and I knew this torque method was out there somewhere.....Thanks much

John T · Mar 11, 2010

Like some others, I wasnt aware all these years I needed to use a torque wrench, I NEVER had any problems using my seat of the pants feel method.

I always keep turning the wheel and strictly hand tighten as tight as I can, then I use a "small" pair of channel locks (water pump pliers) and tighten just a tad to where that feels tight and as far as it dare goes inward/tight, then back it off just to the next available cotter slot and go for it.

John T

Billy Shafer · Mar 11, 2010

That is the way I have always done it. Never gad one fall off yet.

ASE guy · Mar 11, 2010

Every manufacturer has their own method to set preload on tapered roller bearings. Bob is correct that .oo1 to .005 play is what most achieve by their own "method". Double row ball bearings set preload with hub nut torque which is significantly higher. So the type of bearing determines the torque and the procedure.
Gerard

TominKy · Mar 11, 2010

I'm glad to see that someone else uses the term "water Pump pliers".

Tom

Ed Bashaw · Mar 11, 2010

Ran the shop for a fleet of about 50 tractors and 200 trailers running around 10 million miles a year. 15 different mechanics doing the bearings probably 15 different ways. Never had a serious problem in 30 years. Did experience problems with the front trailer on 40-20 doubles set up. Pup trailers were causing an excess amount of side thrust on the rear of the 40. We tryed every combination of braring set up and none of it made much difference. No two mechanics adjust valves with a feeler gauge the same way and wheel bearing set up is in the same category.... Common sense prevails.

Truck wheel bearing preload

Rick(MN)

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Rick(MN)

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