Eaton HO52/72 hub questions

[2500dmaxlv]

Hello Everyone,

I'm a new member to the site and am building a 1980 Chevy K5 with a Dana 44 front axle and a Eaton HO72 rear axle. I'm working on the rear axle now and have a couple questions that maybe some of you could answer.

Should I pack the wheel bearings in the rear axle? I have seen this done on a couple other threads, but wouldn't the bearings get properly lubed by the diff oil?

What are the torque specs for the inner and outer spindle nuts? I found one thread on here and it said to torque the inner nut to 30-40 ft lbs then back it off to align the keyway. What about the torque for the jam nut?

Thanks for your help!!

[Stocker]

Welcome to the board!

Only one I can answer is the wheel bearings on your rear diff. Do not pack them.... your thinking is correct, they are lubed by the gear oil in the diff.

Hang in there, I'm sure others will chime in and answer your other questions. There is a huge amount of knowledge on this board, and plenty of folks are happy to share it!

[CrewCab59]

If the rear diff was dry say you doing a rebuild yes packing the wheel bearing is a must or you have to tilt the diff to get the oil out to the bearings on both side. The grease will mix into the gear oil just fine. I have found way to many damaged bearing and races left dry because thinking oil would just lube the bearings. Don't forget to top off the lube.

Scott

[2500dmaxlv]

Thanks for the heads up! Anyone have any idea on torque specs?

[California gold 68]

Above all else pack your bearings. When I rebuilt my 14 bolt I was gonna just fill the differential, but was told by a seasoned pro to do the bearings. By the time the gear oil hits the bearings you could do some damage. Look at it this way... your only out a few ounces of grease

[Stocker]

I apologize for the bad advice.... guess I'm never too old to learn something. I was told many years ago not to pack them because they're lubed by gear oil, and that's the way I've done it (though only a few times) and I've never had any problems with bearings.

[California gold 68]

Didn't mean any disrespect. Just going by what I heard from a good ole boy GM parts guy. I've brought in many parts to his shop and by the time I laid them on the counter he had his book open to exactly what they were. Can't really get that service at the big chain stores from a 19 year old kid.

[California gold 68]

Hope this is helpful. This came from Chilton's Truck Repair Manual 1961-1971. Bearing adjustment; 1. Remove axle shaft and raise the vehicle until wheel is free to rotate. 2. Disengage the nut lock from the lock nut and remove them from the axle housing tube. 3. Using the appropriate tool, tighten the adjusting nut to specifications, at the same time rotating the hub. 5,200 and 7,200 lb. axles-55 ft. lbs. Then back the nut off 1/2 turn to align the nearest slot with the short tang of the nut lock. 4. Install the nut lock. 5. Install the lock nut and tighten to specifications. 5,200 and 7,200 lb. axles-175 ft. lbs. 6. Bend the tang of the nut lock over the flat or slot of the lock nut. 7. Lower the vehicle and install the axle shaft. Obviously, the 5,200 is the HO52 and the 7,200 is the HO72. Is this what you were looking for?