[Rock Hornbuckle]

There are many methods of caressing front wheel bearings, just as there is for caressing a fine woman. I attended an industrial bearing class about thirty years ago. As I recall, first tighten the nut home by hand, then tighten it a bit more with a wrench while simultaneouly spinning the brake drum with your other hand. This will preload the bearing (preloading they said was important), keep spinning while tightening, when you feel the bearing starting to bind a little, you stop there, then back off the nut with a wrench untill you feel the tightness dissipate, find the closest cotter pin hole, and you're done.