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Wheel bearing torque specs?

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Old Oct 1, 2001 | 10:10 PM
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Default Wheel bearing torque specs?

How much should the bearings be torqued to on a 78?
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Old Oct 1, 2001 | 10:14 PM
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Default Re: Wheel bearing torque specs? (Rhys)

Front or Rear?

The rear spindle nut should be torqued to 100 ft lbs. I believe the front only require 12 ft lbs or so, depending on which bearing preload procedure you subscribe to.
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Old Oct 1, 2001 | 11:39 PM
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Default Re: Wheel bearing torque specs? (Monty)

Front. I torqued the nut, spun the rotor, then backed the nut off, spun, retorqued. Now the problem is that I can not get very close to 12 ft lbs and still line up the cotter pin with the hole thru the spindle.

So I went tighter. I am still feeling the play in it when I drive the car and jerk the wheel back and forth. I believe that only the outer bearings were replaced.

I guess I should take the hubs apart and replace all of them. I assume I need to take the calipers off?
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Old Oct 2, 2001 | 12:58 AM
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Default Re: Wheel bearing torque specs? (Rhys)

After drilling the front rotors apart from the hub, is it necessary to re-rivet or bolt them back in place?

The Lindsay Porter book says "NO"
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Old Oct 2, 2001 | 10:16 AM
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Default Re: Wheel bearing torque specs? (Rhys)

You don't need to rivet the rotor to the hub. They were rivetted together to ease assembly at the plant. Use a standard lug nut but with the flat side facing the rotor. Tighten three of these lugs to hold the rotor to the hub.

You might need to wiggle the rotor/hub assembly to push the outer bearings into their position. I didn't use the 12lb test---my installation is more of a "feel". I'd say the castle nut is tightened to about 20 ft/lb. then back off to the nearest opening.

Yes the caliper will need to be moved out of the way to remove the rotor.


[Modified by 1970 Stingray, 9:17 AM 10/2/2001]
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Old Oct 2, 2001 | 06:24 PM
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Default Re: Wheel bearing torque specs? (Rhys)

The whole idea is to slowly torque the front wheel bearings to 12 foot-pounds while spinning the tire and wheel. If the cotter pin doesn't line up, LOOSEN the nut, do not tighten it! :eek: You can loosen it to the next flat and that will allow the cotter pin to go in. If you still have play you have a bearing problem on the inner or outer bearings. If you do replace them, always replace them as a set, including the races. This is not an area to go cheap on and always insist for US made bearings such as Timkin (sp?).

Gary
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