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TR 3b front wheel bearings

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RonR

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Folks,

I installed new inner and outer wheel bearings, and adjusted them per the shop manual by tightening the nut to 10 foot pounds and backing off the nut a 1-1/2 to 2 flats.

How much movement should one expect when grabbing the top and bottom of the tire and moving the tire in and out?

Thanks
Ron
 
My experience is that 1-1/2 to 2 flats yields too much movement.
I do this with the tire on. Tighten up to no play, and then back the nut off to the first place where it lines up with a cotter pin hole and there is "barely perceptible" play.
 
And be careful with the replacement grease seals - some have very thick felt which can make it harder to get the bearings set properly.
 
RonR said:
Folks,

I installed new inner and outer wheel bearings, and adjusted them per the shop manual by tightening the nut to 10 foot pounds and backing off the nut a 1-1/2 to 2 flats.

How much movement should one expect when grabbing the top and bottom of the tire and moving the tire in and out?

Thanks
Ron
Click to expand...

Moseso said:
My experience is that 1-1/2 to 2 flats yields too much movement.
I do this with the tire on. Tighten up to no play, and then back the nut off to the first place where it lines up with a cotter pin hole and there is "barely perceptible" play.
Click to expand...

I suspect both methods came very close to the same result. 0 pounds torque and back off 1/2 to 1 flat and 10 pounds torque and back off 1-1/2 to 2 flats.

I did the second and then went on a 4,000 mile drive. But I also reused my felt seals. If I had used new felt seals I would be more inclined to Ron's approach.
 
Note that the later manuals (eg "Practical Hints" 6th ed) say to only back off by 1/2 flat.

Also, I forget which one offhand, but at least one manual says that, when installing new seals, you should set the clearance <span style="font-weight: bold">before</span> installing the seal, mark the position of the nut, then install the seal and return the nut to the same position. Kind of complicated, but it ensures that the felt is not causing a false clearance indication.
 
I hope you got Timken bearings there is a lot of trashy bearings comming from China these days,and it is a serious safety item......
MD(mad dog)
 
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