Converting Auto to Manual hubs locknut issue

[tidmarshsmiths5]

Problem I'm having is when I try to torque the lock nut down to 150 it makes the first nut spin a tad and then I can't turn the studs with my hands unless I use two hands or stand up...

What's the blooming secret?

 

[natenkiki2004]

You're obviously missing the spacer between the two nuts or you're putting the nuts on in the wrong order. One of the nuts should have a stud on it that goes into the spacer. The spacer is locked into the slot on the spindle so it can't rotate, thus the inside nut can't rotate.

Take a look:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u...rer/Pictures/CameraZOOM-20140913121802973.jpg

From left to right:
Grease seal, inner bearing, outer bearing, inner lock nut, spacer, outer lock nut, splined washer.

If you zoom in on that picture, on the inner lock nut, there's a nub that fits into the holes on the spacer next to it. Once those two are together, the inner not cannot rotate unless something's broken. Doesn't matter how much torque you put on the outter lock nut, the inner cannot rotate.

 

[tidmarshsmiths5]

You're obviously missing the spacer between the two nuts or you're putting the nuts on in the wrong order. One of the nuts should have a stud on it that goes into the spacer. The spacer is locked into the slot on the spindle so it can't rotate, thus the inside nut can't rotate.

Take a look:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u...rer/Pictures/CameraZOOM-20140913121802973.jpg

From left to right:
Grease seal, inner bearing, outer bearing, inner lock nut, spacer, outer lock nut, splined washer.

If you zoom in on that picture, on the inner lock nut, there's a nub that fits into the holes on the spacer next to it. Once those two are together, the inner not cannot rotate unless something's broken. Doesn't matter how much torque you put on the outter lock nut, the inner cannot rotate.

Yeah, I printed the sticky up above...but both sides of mine turn just a hair...at least a quarter inch if not a 5/16...I watched them both do it when I turned the torque wrench...Good news, I just torqued them best I could without turning them so the axle would still turn without me having to have brute force to do it (If I could figure out how to load a video I could show you). What I did was 16 inch lbs (STRONG finger tight), and then torqued the locknut until it made it move just a hair and it got rid of the play and I can spin the axle...my brother says it's still too hard but any less and it's sloppy.

I figure I need to get inside that Dana 35 front unit and see if it's got grease in it or if just hasn't been used in so long that it will "tighten" up magically for me...lottery ticket needs buying!

The 4wd now works - I just tested it. It "clunks" into gear...but it works.

My Bronco II was a lot smoother 4wd; never clunked into gear but didn't have the "bite" this one did in my front yard either.

 

[natenkiki2004]

Maybe you need a better kit then? There shouldn't be any movement, MAYBE 1/16" but even that... it shouldn't.

I found 2 videos that explain this a bit better:
https://youtu.be/In3rJjRei9Y?t=4m34s
https://youtu.be/6IvGD9DWugk?t=7m55s

 

[tidmarshsmiths5]

Maybe you need a better kit then? There shouldn't be any movement, MAYBE 1/16" but even that... it shouldn't.

I found 2 videos that explain this a bit better:
https://youtu.be/In3rJjRei9Y?t=4m34s
https://youtu.be/6IvGD9DWugk?t=7m55s

I can order a new one but i followed this exactly to the T.

35lbs, backed off 1/4 turn...16 inch lbs (finger tight basically); put the lock washer into the groove where the old pin slid into the groove slot. Then I put the lock nut on...150lbs...but it would turn and I re-did several times with the same results...it would make it so tight that I had to put both hands to it to turn the studs thereby turning the "wheel"...

So, I finger tightened the 1st one with the pin gave it a little back off, put the washer with the holes in it and locknut and tightened down.

I figured it shouldn't move but I did the best I could.

I'll order a new kit and try again when it comes in. Nothing looked wrong with the old one...

Frustrating...it is really an easy procedure if the darn thing would work right!

 

[RangerX]

Sounds like you got it done, but the one 'trick' that I know of is the spacer washer with the tab and all the holes, when you put it on, try it both ways. One way will have less play, that's the side you want.
In other words, like heads and tails on a coin, try one side, then flip it and try the other. The circle of holes is slightly offset from the tab, it's not symmetrical.

 

[natenkiki2004]

Sounds like you got it done, but the one 'trick' that I know of is the spacer washer with the tab and all the holes, when you put it on, try it both ways. One way will have less play, that's the side you want.
In other words, like heads and tails on a coin, try one side, then flip it and try the other. The circle of holes is slightly offset from the tab, it's not symmetrical.

^^ Definitely this. You shouldn't have to move the inner lock/spindle nut, just flip the spacer over if the pin doesn't go into one of the holes.

 

[tidmarshsmiths5]

Took another run. Seemingly nothing out of order...

 

[2stroke]

I'm not sure how you could have it rotate. Did you maybe forget to seat the bearing? Torque to something like 30 ft-lb's first, back off, then go to the final torque spec. With that washer in there, the way its designed, torquing the outer nut cannot move the inner nut.

 

[tidmarshsmiths5]

Nope, 35lbs to seat them...wondered myself if maybe it's just worn out in there and it's got a little extra play...when I put new rotors on, I replaced bearings and all.

So far so good so I'm going to let it be.

 

[RangerX]

The tab on the washer that fits into the groove tends to round off on the corners and not lock into place very well. Was yours old or new?
I've had mine start to spin into the thread when tightening, but I would see it and stop and start over. So I can believe that your would travel 1/4 inch or more.
Also, the little nub is present on the first lock washer, yes? Without that, the spacer washer will just spin. I've had them break off...

 

[tidmarshsmiths5]

The tab on the washer that fits into the groove tends to round off on the corners and not lock into place very well. Was yours old or new?
I've had mine start to spin into the thread when tightening, but I would see it and stop and start over. So I can believe that your would travel 1/4 inch or more.
Also, the little nub is present on the first lock washer, yes? Without that, the spacer washer will just spin. I've had them break off...

Brand new set; all of it. I flipped the washer a time or two just to see if it would change anything.