Wheel bearing preload / spindle nut torque?

[silverstreak]

Does anyone know the recommended front wheel bearing preload for a 72 C10 (2WD) in other words, the torque for the spindle nut?

In the past, I've snugged it down while rotating the wheel just until the freeplay is gone and called it good.

Thanks.

[slikside]

I believe you have been doing it correctly, at least that's what I remember from high school autoshop! But seriously I think that's right. I mean, it's a castle nut isn't it? If so, a given torque setting would not necessarily allow you to put a cotter key in there to lock the castle nut in place.

Also, how has your past practice worked for you? If you're not burning out bearings and/or having a wheel come off periodically, I'd say you're do'in alright!

[Alex Hayley]

I tighten the nut until the hub begins to drag noticeably and then back the nut off until the cotter pin can be inserted. The bearing has been preloaded properly and the hub should now spin freely but with no end play.

[Zeke]

This is from the 69 Chassis Manual;

1. Jack up front...

2. Tighten adjusting nut to 15 lb.ft while rotating hub in both directions.

3. Back off nut one flat (1/6 turn) and insert new cotter pin. If nut and spindle hole do not line up, back off slightly (1/6 turn) to align cotter pin. This adjustment provides for .001" to .008" bearing end clearance.

4. Spin hub to make sure it turns freely.

[silverstreak]

Thanks Zeke, and everyone else. When I'm working on someone else's stuff I like to follow the book a little closer.

[C1ph3r]

Reviving this very old thread. What's the danger of over torquing when setting the bearing? Doing a disk brake conversion. I just did mine and realized my torque wrench was set to 25 ft lbs. I backed it off to line up the cotter pin. I reset it to 15 but I'm afraid I may have damaged something.

[GASoline71]

No need to torque the nut. If you overtighten the nut, You can put stress on the bearing causing drag, which will cause heat, which will destroy a bearing, which can destroy a spindle.

In the 30+ years I've worked on cars and trucks I've never used a torque wrench on a spindle nut with roller bearings. No need to.

Gary

[C1ph3r]

Originally Posted by GASoline71

No need to torque the nut. If you overtighten the nut, You can put stress on the bearing causing drag, which will cause heat, which will destroy a bearing, which can destroy a spindle.

In the 30+ years I've worked on cars and trucks I've never used a torque wrench on a spindle nut with roller bearings. No need to.

Gary

Great thanks. So what about my current situation? Do I need to pull my rotors and bearings and go get new bearings?

[saxart]

Originally Posted by C1ph3r

Great thanks. So what about my current situation? Do I need to pull my rotors and bearings and go get new bearings?

You're good. Don't fret it. 25lbs is nothing. No damage done.

[C1ph3r]

Originally Posted by saxart

You're good. Don't fret it. 25lbs is nothing. No damage done.

Thanks. I'll move forward

[Meangreen1]

Yep just doing this tonight. By the way, they are the same nut 41-87 if someone wanted to know.