Wheel Bearing Repack

[melsner]

Yesterday, I reinstalled my front rotors after having them turned and repacking the bearings. I did the driver side first and then started on the passenger side. While finishing the passenger side, I realized that the torque setting on the inner spindle nut was supposed to be 16 in-lbs instead of the 16 ft-lbs that I tightened the driver side to. Do you think having the nut too tight will cause damage to the wheel bearings on that side? Also, what is with the 150 ft-lb torque setting on the outer spindle nut? Doesn't that seem a little high?

BTW, the driver's side outer spindle nut was loose when I got to it and it bent the axel spacer so much that I had to cut it off. The new spacer was 25 bucks at Ford. What a rip-off for a glorified washer.

 

[MrShorty]

Yes, having the inner nut too tight will cause the bearing to go bad. Take the few minutes needed and readjust the driver's side bearing nut.
150 ft. lbs on the outer "locknut" is right. In fact, some say that 150 ft. lbs isn't tight enough to keep the nuts from coming loose.

 

[melsner]

Does anyone have an idea of how to measure 16 in-lbs, or what it feels like? Is it hand tight?

 

[etc]

You need a torque wrench. Grab one from autozone, $100 dollar refundable deposit rental.

edit: Doh....that comes out to 1.5 ft -lbs....nevermind the autozone ones are 20-250 ft lbs...sorry

 

[DeRocha]

Hand tight is correct

Assuming you haver pre-loaded the bearing and backed off 1/4 turn.

Turn the axle socket with your hand (NO tools). Do not strain yourself, this is a causual turn until it feels hard to move by hand. Then look through the key area to see if the key slots are lined up. If not, tighten the nut until the key can be installed.