How tight to put on spindle nut

[summerwind1991]

I have replaced bearing,and ready to put hub back on the spindle.<br /><br />How tight do I turn the nut after putting on the hub?<br />How can I tell if I have the correct tightness?<br /><br />Indicated prior tighten hard then back off a certain amount and put kotter pin in.

 

[JB]

Re: How tight to put on spindle nut

Tighten until it binds the hub from turning, then back off until the holes for the pin line up.

 

[heycods]

Re: How tight to put on spindle nut

I have never tightened over hand tight with pliars and like JB said. Your just taking the slack out of the bearings. A wrench isnt necessary. Make sure you pack the bearings with grease befour installing.

 

[Pony]

Re: How tight to put on spindle nut

Same as the JB and cods have said........I like to grab the spindle nut with my hand and spin the hub with my other hand until it stops, then back it off as JB said.

 

[summerwind1991]

Re: How tight to put on spindle nut

should the washer be able to move, not back and forth but circular.<br /><br />Should I just hand tighten avoid pliers,

 

[Bondo]

Re: How tight to put on spindle nut

Originally posted by JB:<br /> Tighten until it binds the hub from turning, then back off until the holes for the pin line up.

Just Exactly Like JB Said,............<br /><br />Whether You can get there with Your Hand,.. Or with Pliers,.. Or a Wrench,........<br /><br />Doesn't Change A Thing..................<br /><br />What the Washer Does,...... Is Pretty Much Irrevelant................As Long as It's Where It Belongs.........

 

[summerwind1991]

Re: How tight to put on spindle nut

That is where I am getting confused.<br /><br />JB indicates tighten until hub binds from turning, isn't the hub supposed to turn?

 

[Pony]

Re: How tight to put on spindle nut

Originally posted by summerwind1991:<br /> That is where I am getting confused.<br /><br />JB indicates tighten until hub binds from turning, isn't the hub supposed to turn?

Not if the spindle nut is too tight.......

 

[PuddleJumper]

Re: How tight to put on spindle nut

Years ago they used to teach setting them with a torque wrench at 12 inch/pounds. Most folks don't bother with such precision and just snug up then back off to nearest cotter pin hole.

 

[Bondo]

Re: How tight to put on spindle nut

The way I find easiest to do it is to just grab the spindle nut with your hand, a pliers or wrench and hold it in place, and turn the hub in such a manner that it tightens the nut (counter clockwise).... turn it until the hub stops turning as the nut is too tight, and then turn the wheel clockwise until the hole lines up and you can slip the cotter pin in.<br />

I've been turning Wrenches for over 40 years,.....<br />And I Always Thought it was,.....<br />Righty, Tighty,......<br />Lefty, Lucy............

 

[Silvertip]

Re: How tight to put on spindle nut

Shorelander specifies .001 to .010-inch end play. Tapered roller bearings are not to be run snug. You should be able to grip the wheel (jacked up) at the top and bottom and feel ever so slight play as you rock the wheel -- not rotating it, rocking it inward and outward. Note that I said "ever so slight" -- not sloppiness. When bearings are replaced 1-1/16 inner and outer bearing should be initially pre-loaded to 20 inch/pounds and 1-1/16 outer, 1-3/8 inner to 30 inch/pounds. Then look for the cotter pin hole through the slots in the nut. If you can see any part of a hole, turn the nut counter clockwise until the hole is fully visible and insert the pin. If the no part of the hole is visible, turn the nut counter clockwise to the first slot and insert the pin.

 

[Lou C]

Re: How tight to put on spindle nut

Check out:<br />www.championtrailers.com<br />look in the tech articles on installing brakes, they have a section on setting the bearings.<br />I tighten it with the socket until it starts to get tight, to take the slack out of the bearings while rotating the hub or drum at the same time, then back off by hand till loose, then tighten it hand tight with the finger pressure on the socket. Then align the cotter pin or locking tab.

 

[Pony]

Re: How tight to put on spindle nut

Originally posted by Bondo:<br />

The way I find easiest to do it is to just grab the spindle nut with your hand, a pliers or wrench and hold it in place, and turn the hub in such a manner that it tightens the nut (counter clockwise).... turn it until the hub stops turning as the nut is too tight, and then turn the wheel clockwise until the hole lines up and you can slip the cotter pin in.<br />

I've been turning Wrenches for over 40 years,.....<br />And I Always Thought it was,.....<br />Righty, Tighty,......<br />Lefty, Lucy............

Note to self: Think with LOGIC before I type....

 

[Bondo]

Re: How tight to put on spindle nut

Well,.........<br /><br />If you're Holding the Nut from Turning,+ Spinning the Hub,.........<br />Nothing is Going,..... Anywhere.......Except the Hub spinning On the Axle....<br /><br />If you're Holding the Nut,+ Spinning the Whole Trailer, counter-clockwise(aka, the Axle),........<br />Now,...... That would Tighten the Nut......

 

[Silvertip]

Re: How tight to put on spindle nut

Grin!

 

[Pony]

Re: How tight to put on spindle nut

Yeah not sure what I was thinking Bondo......thanks for catching it efore someone tried to tighten a spindle nut that way. What I should've said is I turn the hub with one hand as I TIGHTEN the spindle nut with the other.

 

[Bondo]

Re: How tight to put on spindle nut

 

[Realgun]

Re: How tight to put on spindle nut

So I spin the trailer and lossen the spindle er axle what?<br /><br />Just kidding I just did mine and was I happy cause the drivers side hub had cloudy grease!<br />I got lucky as the bearings and races looked and felt good.<br /><br />Basically put it all together hand tighten the nut clockwise till you can't turn it. Then spin the hub and tighten the nut by hand some more. if you can't tighten the nut and the hub still<br /> spins free then get a wrench and gently turn clock wise while spinning hub. When hub stops back off till the hole lines up and you can put in a coter pin. Then put the wheel on and spin wheel. You need to listen for whoosh, if grinds or binds back off next hole. If it whooshes then grab tire 180 degrees apart and push-pull if there is a 1/8" or less wobble crimp the cotter pin if it does not move, tire, turn the nut counter clockwise 1 hole back and test again.<br />Then and then only bend tab or cotter pin and install bearing cap or buddies.<br /><br />Did I get this right?