Dana 44 wheel bearing

[gick70]

What would cause my bearing retainer from backing out,2x ,now??

 

[B RON CO]

Hi, do you mean the outer locknut, washer, and inner locknut are coming loose? Is the pin on the inner nut intact? Does the big washer engage the keyway and you are sure it can't spin on the spindle? And does the big washer engage the pin and sit flat on the inner locknut.
Are you using an acceptable tightening procedure, and getting the outer locknut nice and tight with a locknut socket.
Can you post pictures of the inner locknut and washer?
Good luck

 

[Apogee]

Driver's side or passenger?

As stated above, the flat washer that goes between the inner and outer nuts is keyed to the spindle, so it can't spin and is supposed to eliminate that concern between the inner and outer nut. The spindle or washer could be damaged, or both such that that washer spins...or maybe it wasn't installed to begin with. I'm assuming this is the driver's side since it would be tightening the nuts on the passenger side when driving forward.

 

[gick70]

Passenger side,I will have to look at the spindle threads!!

 

[Rustytruck]

does the inner spindle nut still have the protruding pin in the nut that locks in to the washer separating the 2 spindle nuts? are you torking the outer spindle nut to 90 foot pounds? setting bearing on a 4-wd is not like setting the bearings on a car or trailer axle.

 

[gick70]

I go by the chilton book,as I forget more than I remember.

 

[MS73HD302]

my drivers side has backed off twice in a year following the clintons procedure

 

[blubuckaroo]

I've seen the alignment pin, on the bottom nut, get broken off when it wasn't aligned with a hole in the lock ring. With that pin missing, yes the nuts could back off.

 

[MS73HD302]

any problem with going over the 100 lbs torque on the outer nut as long as the inner nut is set up properly?

 

[blubuckaroo]

any problem with going over the 100 lbs torque on the outer nut as long as the inner nut is set up properly?

I use an old Craftsman "bender beam" torque wrench for that. I'm sure I've hit 100 ft lbs every time.
My front wheel bearings have over 300K miles on them.

 

[DirtDonk]

any problem with going over the 100 lbs torque on the outer nut as long as the inner nut is set up properly?

Nope. In fact that's the procedure in most manuals. As blu said, it works.

Some books for F250's show as much as 200lbs torque on the outer nut. It's a larger spindle, but not much.
The most I remember seeing on a Bronco/1/2-ton sized spindle in a book would be like 140lbs if I remember. I use 100lbs on mine too.

In the early days of doing this I've used as little as 70lbs and it worked fine. But since more books quote 100lbs than quote 70lbs, I started going with the higher number.
Never stripped or harmed a spindle, nut or spanner wrench in any way whatsoever.

Paul

 

[DirtDonk]

my drivers side has backed off twice in a year following the clintons procedure

Do you have them apart now? Can you see the pin is fully extended, the holes in the lock ring are in good shape, and even more importantly, the locking tab that fits into the spindle slot is not rounded off?
Then also inspect the spindle itself for any deformation of that groove. If the ring can spin itself out of the groove then it's not truly locked in position.

Good luck.

Paul

 

[sprdv1]

I've seen the alignment pin, on the bottom nut, get broken off when it wasn't aligned with a hole in the lock ring. With that pin missing, yes the nuts could back off.

seen that before as well..

 

[sprdv1]

Do you have them apart now? Can you see the pin is fully extended, the holes in the lock ring are in good shape, and even more importantly, the locking tab that fits into the spindle slot is not rounded off?
Then also inspect the spindle itself for any deformation of that groove. If the ring can spin itself out of the groove then it's not truly locked in position.

Good luck.

take some pics as well would help

 

[MS73HD302]

took it apart and everything looks new still (two year old parts) set inner nut to 50 lbs then backed off 45 degrees and torqued outer nut to 100 lbs no slack feels good and smooth spin. If I backed off 90 degrees there was play after assembly but the lock but lined up perfectly at 90 where I had to fish around at 45.... maybe only taking 45 degrees off will keep it snug this time.... anyone had this experience?

Much appreciate the help from everyone.

 

[DirtDonk]

The inner adjusting nut position has nothing to do with the outer locking nut coming loose. Not unless the pin is missing.
As far as the pin aligning with the holes perfectly at 90 degrees, you just got lucky that's all. There is usually some fishing involved no matter what. But sometimes you get lucky and it just falls into place. So no foul with having to do it at 45, but I would still double check the end play as it might be too tight.

What you did by only backing off 45 instead of 90 is potentially change the final bearing adjustment. Backing off 90 degrees is specified and they knew full well that doing that leaves you with excess bearing play. But only temporarily.
What gets rid of the play is the 100lbs of torque you put on the outer lock nut.
If you have it apart again (and personally I would do it, but it's up to you) do it per spec to the 90 degree mark, check free play and then torque to 100lbs and check free play again. it should all be gone but about .005" or so.

Something is either wrong with your hardware, or the threads on the spindle, or something else is going on. Do you use it hard (like it's supposed to be sort of)? Or is it a street rig like most Broncos? If a street or gentle trail rig these things should never come loose. Most will run 40,000 miles and never come loose.
I can't claim to have checked that theory, since I used to re-pack and re-adjust mine about every 25 to 30 thousand or so. Never had the chance to check it at 40k, but they were not even remotely loose at 30k either.

I wonder if you have a set that is machined out of true? If the two nuts were not sitting square on the threads, or the mating surfaces where the locking ring rides on them is not flat, then they might come loose like you're experiencing. Same for the locking ring not being perfectly square.

Anyway, if you feel confident there is still enough free play in your bearings with the 45° back-off, you should be good. If not, you should re-do it. Again...%) Ugh. Hate doing things over, but sometimes you need to.

If it comes loose again, try using 120lbs of torque the next time.

Paul

 

[Rustytruck]

There has to be play when cold .001 to .010 if not you will spin the bearing on the spindle when the brakes get all warmed up. there heavy bearing and hub assemblies have so much steel mass that expands when heated. That's why when you check after torquing the nuts there has to be some free play in the bearing. If your not checking the free play you haven't finished the job. Some times it get bad enough to spin the races in the hub then they just fall out of the hub when you take it all apart. read the factory service manual.

 

[Rustytruck]

I have dealt with broken pins in the bearing nuts by driving the pin up from the back side if it was still long enough or even using the shank of a drill bit to make a new pin when necessary. The fear of spinning of a bearing nut or expensive spindle hub or bearing replacement forces me to do take the time and do it right. Use to get the nuts and lock washer at the auto parts in the help parts section. Dorman 05305 been a long time since I have seen them.

 

[MS73HD302]

I’ve still got the truck on jack stands so I can recheck. Definitely don’t want to cook the bearing or worse have the tire detach which is my true fear.

Since this is a used bearing since it’s been in service and just loosened up should I still use the 50 lbs for the inner nut or is that just for seating the bearing?

 

[Rustytruck]

the 50 pounds is to ensure the bearings and races are seated and square to the spindle. a mag base indicator is good to check the end play after torque.

https://www.harborfreight.com/multi-position-magnetic-base-with-fine-adjustment-63663.html

https://www.harborfreight.com/1-in-...dicator-63521.html?_br_psugg_q=dial+indicator