Hot Wheel Hub After Front End Rebuild

[dj31499]

I just finished up replacing everything from the axle tube outward on the front end of my 89 K5. After taking it out for 30 minute test drive (which went fine), I decided to feel the front hubs to make sure they weren't hot. Well, the drivers side was fine but the passenger side hub was hot to the touch, couldn't keep my hand on it for more than a couple of seconds. I know i packed the bearings and spindle with a lot of grease and I'm pretty sure I preloaded the bearing correctly (torque the inner lock ring to the 50 ft. lbs while spinning, then back it off until its free). The only thing that may have caused it is the final torque of the outer lock ring. I've seen a lot of different torques specs being thrown around, anywhere from 80 to 190 ft. lbs. The 89 RVGP service manual from GM says to torque to 160 ft lbs. minimum, which is what I torqued it to. I know on the driver's side (which was only warm to the touch), I could not get it to torque past 110-120 ft lbs (busted my knuckles everytime trying to get it past that) and the socket would just slip off. Is 160 fts for the outer lock ring too tight? It's the only difference between the two sides and one's fine and the other's hotter than hell. What do you guys usually torque your inner and outer lock rings to?

Thanks,
Dan

 

[cheavyk10]

I've seen the outer lock ring jump the groove and turn the nut a little tighter. I have used 150 on the outer and it seemed to work okay. Also had the outer nuts back themselves off.

 

[Bent77]

Torquing the outer nut won’t cause the bearing to be too tight, unless you miss the lock collar and it drives the inner nut on the bearing

I sometimes torque the inner. I just tighten the outer whap whap with the impact

 

[ryoken]

just a smidge tight... i did the furd today, same exact kinda lock deal as GM.. tighten to 50.... back off 1/4 turn.. tighten to next lock hole position.. outer was 160 to 210.. i just thru a few ugga duggas at it with those kinda #'s.....

 

[Fordum]

Don't forgot the brake. A little dragging goes a long way.......

J.

 

[dj31499]

Sorry for the late reply guys, I ended up taking the bearing out, repacking it and torqued it to spec. I think I may have neglected to loosing the bearing preload a quarter of a turn the first time. All is good now, thanks for your advice. Much appreciated.