71 front wheel bearing installation

[redmtnex]

Howdy all. Putting my 71 EB back on the road after it has been sitting since 1998. Just repacked the front bearings (drum) and I see the torgue adjustment specs as initially 40 pounds then back off 90 degrees. If I back it off 90 degrees the bearing is then loose, you can grab a hold of the drum and get some movement. It is the same on both sides. So whats up? Am I doing it wrong, that amount of play just seems wrong to me. No idea how many miles I have on the bearings, maybe they are toast!

Thanks in advance
Greg

 

[savage]

The first torque is 50 ft lbs then back off 90 and yes their will be a little movement but the outer nut will take that out. Here is a thread with torques that may help. http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=255485

 

[DirtDonk]

Yes, while the difference in adjustment that 40lbs vs 50lbs would impart might or might not be noticeable, the spec in most the books I've read (including Ford manuals) use 50lbs as the reference point. I've heard the 40 too at some point (it's what I used to use in fact) but have not seen that in print for many years.

What savage said is true. Don't worry about the excessive free play until you've finished the installation of the outer lock nut to at least 75 lbs. THEN check to see if there is too much play.
It's always possible for it to be there, but 99 times out of 100 it goes away.
I couldn't really fathom it the first time either, so I used a dial indicator to test the play for the first few times I did it. When the results kept coming back consistently on the money per the book, I finally stopped worrying.

Of course, I still "feel"for play after I get the outer nut locked down, but so far have not been disappointed.
Every rig is different of course, as we like to say around here, so never hesitate to double check what you read here. But anytime the adjustment is not perfect, it's usually just a matter of doing what the book says, and rotate the inner nut one way or the other until the pin engages the next hole to set it straight.

Good luck.

Paul

 

[redmtnex]

Thanks guys. I did a test and it does work that way. But I discovered a problem with the passenger side lock washer. It wants to spin out of its notch when I tighten down the lock nut. I compared it to the drivers side and both are the exact same dimensions so my guess is the spindle slot is worn somehow. I just got 2 new sets from Wild Horses. I modified the pass side ring by adding a weld bead to the dog then filing it square. That did the trick and stopped it from spinning out of the slot. Anyhow I will test with the new nuts and lock ring to see if they spin out. My guess is someone in the past installed the lock ring wrong as you can see indentations on the ring from the lock pin. And the old nuts had obviously been loosened and tightened with a chisel or punch.

 

[DirtDonk]

Yeah, seen that way too many times. Usually the hammer-and-chisel routine does not get enough torque on the outer nut and things come loose. Then the fun happens!
Too bad it was your spindle side and not the washer tab, but sounds like you got it handled. No reason to replace a whole spindle if it's only a little worn in the slot. Now, if it was buggered in some other ways too, then that $75-$80 or even $140 bucks (if yours is a 44 that is) is money well spent.

Glad you got it together. And, unlike the PO's, correct this time too!

Paul