'62 front wheel bearing adjustment
08-25-2016, 12:43 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
'62 front wheel bearing adjustment
I was checking out my front brakes on my '62, and decided to inspect and repack my front wheel bearings and install new grease seals. The bearings are the ball bearing type. My question is regarding the adjustment of the bearings. ST-12 states:
2.) Tighten spindle nut to 33 ft. lbs. while rotating wheel
3.) Back off spindle nut until bearings are loose and retorque to 12 ft. lbs.
So...I performed step #2 with wheel spinning, BUT performed step #3 with the wheel NOT spinning (I actually retorqued to 144 inch lbs since my other torque wrench doesn't go down to 12 ft lbs).
My question: Should the wheel be spinning when performing step #3? Maybe I'm splitting hairs here?
Back in the old days on our cars with tapered roller bearings, we would just use a crescent wrench and go by feel while spinning the wheel the whole time, just until the bearing was slightly snug.
Thanks!
2.) Tighten spindle nut to 33 ft. lbs. while rotating wheel
3.) Back off spindle nut until bearings are loose and retorque to 12 ft. lbs.
So...I performed step #2 with wheel spinning, BUT performed step #3 with the wheel NOT spinning (I actually retorqued to 144 inch lbs since my other torque wrench doesn't go down to 12 ft lbs).
My question: Should the wheel be spinning when performing step #3? Maybe I'm splitting hairs here?
Back in the old days on our cars with tapered roller bearings, we would just use a crescent wrench and go by feel while spinning the wheel the whole time, just until the bearing was slightly snug.
Thanks!
08-25-2016, 08:27 PM
#5
Burning Brakes
08-25-2016, 09:15 PM
#6
Le Mans Master
Feel means nothing. Ball bearings need to be pre-loaded. Doing the same to roller bearings will destroy them in short order. Follow the prescribed procedure for the bearing you are using.
08-26-2016, 12:23 AM
#7
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Thread Starter
Thanks to all who've replied, I appreciate your help. I guess my question is: when backing off on spindle nut and doing the re-torque to 12 ft lbs, should the wheel be spinning or not?
08-26-2016, 08:15 AM
#8
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When backing the nut off, leave the wheel stationary.
You don't want to unseat the bearings you just seated with the previous application of ~30 ft-lbs torque.
Jim
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vetteless in Modesto (08-28-2016)
08-26-2016, 10:49 AM
#9
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Going by 'fee'l is perfectly viable, provided one is in possession of the right 'feel'. Many of us are, and have been using it for decades with excellent results. Tools and specifications are only as effective as those using them. My biggest tool is my brain. Your mileage may vary.
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vetteless in Modesto (08-28-2016)
08-28-2016, 01:46 AM
#10
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-Steve
10-23-2016, 04:29 PM
#12
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Yes, it's been covered here several times.
Here is the best source, Allied Bearing Sales in LA, CA. The aftermarket sources also sell them, but they are MUCH cheaper from Allied.
http://www.superpages.com/bp/los-ang...0018138791.htm
I've had them in the 56 and the 51 Chevy for about 30yrs with ZERO issues.
By the way, let's give credit where credit is due. Roy Braatz was the first to make this information available MANY, MANY years ago. I followed his advice.
They are NOT, repeat, NOT available from the automotive parts houses such as NAPA, O'Reilly, Autozone, etc, etc.
Here is the best source, Allied Bearing Sales in LA, CA. The aftermarket sources also sell them, but they are MUCH cheaper from Allied.
http://www.superpages.com/bp/los-ang...0018138791.htm
I've had them in the 56 and the 51 Chevy for about 30yrs with ZERO issues.
By the way, let's give credit where credit is due. Roy Braatz was the first to make this information available MANY, MANY years ago. I followed his advice.
They are NOT, repeat, NOT available from the automotive parts houses such as NAPA, O'Reilly, Autozone, etc, etc.
The following 2 users liked this post by DZAUTO:
jerry gollnick (10-24-2016),
mcb55-210 (10-23-2016)
