Need Help, 14ff wheel bearing ?'s

[TrcksR4ME]

Need Help, 14ff wheel bearing ?\'s

I am in the process of getting a 14 bolt ready to install under my Blazer. I installed new races and bearings and have the drums back on the spindles. Also have the special socket for the adjustment and lock nuts.

My question is how tight do the adjustment nuts need to be? The Haynes Manual says 50ft-lbs and then back the nut off until the nut slot lines up with the keyway. When I took them off they were not that tight and I want to make sure im reading this right. This is my first time doing it, so I have nothing to go off here.

 

[91gmcjimmyCH_IL]

Re: Need Help, 14ff wheel bearing ?\'s

Wheel bearings have been nothing but problems for me. Do it right the first time. If the manual says to do it than that is what you should do.

 

[BorregoK5]

Re: Need Help, 14ff wheel bearing ?\'s

I just went through this recently, your right ... the book is confusing. Heres my old thread...

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=blazer4x4&Number=337019&page=&view=&sb=&o=&vc=1

There are two types, but the torque is the same.

 

[m j]

Re: Need Help, 14ff wheel bearing ?\'s

zero preload
you torque it up tight to seat the bearings then back off
then pretty much hand tighten while spinning hub til it doesnt move in n out
basically til contact but no torque on them

 

[TrcksR4ME]

Re: Need Help, 14ff wheel bearing ?\'s

hmm, i torqued to 50 and backed off some like it said in book, but i dont know if it was enough. Already put it together, but can redo that pretty easily. The book sure is not clear, so seat them and then back the nut off and tighten it up just past hand tight or so?

 

[wayne]

Re: Need Help, 14ff wheel bearing ?\'s

I do mine just like the Haynes manual said and had no problems. I also talked to Roger about it and he said that is what to do also. Just make sure you spin the drum while you torque them.

 

[TrcksR4ME]

Re: Need Help, 14ff wheel bearing ?\'s

Thanks for the info, I did spin and tighten at the same time. Its just one of those things where I feel like I must be doing it wrong cause its my first time...lol

 

[wayne]

Re: Need Help, 14ff wheel bearing ?\'s

I felt the same way and that is why I questioned Roger about it.

 

[m j]

Re: Need Help, 14ff wheel bearing ?\'s

you should be able to feel the hub/drum play as you hand tighten the nut
just tighten it up until the play is gone but before the hub feels like it drags as you try and rotate it.
these axles are pretty forgiving, so if it spun freely and didnt move in n out you are most likely in the ballpark

 

[TrcksR4ME]

Re: Need Help, 14ff wheel bearing ?\'s

I figuered I followed the book instructions closely so it is probably ok. Seems hard to tell drag with the drums being so heavy(meaning I didnt feel a noticable difference), but once its under the truck I'll check it again then and maybe adjust the nuts since it is so easy to do.

 

[POWERMAD]

Re: Need Help, 14ff wheel bearing ?\'s

If you did it the way the book said to do then it is gonna be ok.
Never lost a wheel yet due a bearing failure or a leaky seal doing it that way.
And I have done more than one or two.
Even semi hubs are set up this way.
Did ya fill the hubs with lube before buttoning it all back up?

 

[Twiz]

Re: Need Help, 14ff wheel bearing ?\'s

For the rear W/B, it's not as critical of an adjustment as it is with the front W/B (steering axle).

I just tighten the nut down while spinning the drums. Snug, but deffenetly not 50 ft/lbs.
Then back the nut off, and spin the drum.
Then hand tighten the nut, I usualy don't even use a rachet, just the socket.
The back the nut off to alighn the key ways.

I've never had problems doing it like this.