front wheel hub

[aermotor]

End of a long day and went to install a front hub after redoing the kingpins. No matter how much I torqued the axle nut I could not get the hub to "lock" down, even added and extra washer - didn't help. What's going on?

John

[Patrick L.]

I guess I don't what 'lock' down means. Do the bearings slide all the way on the spindle easily as they should ? The castleated axle nut is used to hold the hub in place and adjust the bearings. You may damage the bearings by tightening them too much.

[aermotor]

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

I guess I don't what 'lock' down means. Do the bearings slide all the way on the spindle easily as they should ? The castleated axle nut is used to hold the hub in place and adjust the bearings. You may damage the bearings by tightening them too much.

I have always pre-loaded the bearings until the hub would not turn by hand then back off to loosen until they turn easy, then adjust.

John

[Tom Wesenberg]

I only turn the nut tight enough to know the bearings are in place, then I spin the drum, then loosen the nut and tighten it just enough to remove the slack. This is no tighter than if a 12" adjustable wrench was on the nut in the 3 o'clock position.

[Art Newland]

Are you sure the race is installed?

[JBill]

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I've had the same thing happen (for the first time ever) on one side, so I'll be curious about possible explanations.

[Big hammer]

Are you sure you installed the back bearing? Boy not installed, the hub would wobble like crazy!

[H. L. Chauvin]

Verification of inside diameter(s) of drum vs. verification of outside diameter(s) of brake shoes may be something to check.

Note the (s) on both diameters .... which translates into inner and outer diameters if drum or shoes are worn more on the outer or inner surfaces.

[aermotor]

Originally Posted by Art Newland

Are you sure the race is installed?

Yes John

[aermotor]

Originally Posted by Big hammer

Are you sure you installed the back bearing? Boy not installed, the hub would wobble like crazy!

Yes John

[aermotor]

Originally Posted by H. L. Chauvin

Verification of inside diameter(s) of drum vs. verification of outside diameter(s) of brake shoes may be something to check.

Note the (s) on both diameters .... which translates into inner and outer diameters if drum or shoes are worn more on the outer or inner surfaces.

Even tried with the shoes off - same thing. John

[Patrick L.]

You've answered the other questions, how about my first one ?

[aermotor]

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

You've answered the other questions, how about my first one ?

Problem solved. Wrong bearings and races. The inner bearing was riding on the spindle as it should, however, with the wrong bearing and race the race rode on the grease deflector.

John

[aermotor]

Originally Posted by JBill

I've had the same thing happen (for the first time ever) on one side, so I'll be curious about possible explanations.

See post 13

John

[Patrick L.]

Originally Posted by aermotor

Problem solved. Wrong bearings and races. The inner bearing was riding on the spindle as it should, however, with the wrong bearing and race the race rode on the grease deflector.

John

Hmm, I'll be darned. Well, good. At least its fixed.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Wheel bearings are the SAME on Fords & Mercs, clean up to 1948!!
Bill W.

[JBill]

Originally Posted by aermotor

See post 13

John

I'll guarantee that wrong bearings and races are not my problem. If it is a problem. I have new cast iron drums with new hubs, and I wonder if the one might have been machined slightly over or under specs.