front bearing question

[califkid_66]

i just changed my front bearings and races put in new grease before that i used to scew the castle nut by hand until i felt drag then unscew one flat no drag
i tried that with new bearings did not seem to work i looked up in torque chart it says 5 lbs then back up one flat i tried lots of drag but no loose in the wheel if i try loosening the nut it turns freely but with wheel on i have movement
the bearings are sitting properly
my question is should i leave 5 lbs one flat back go for a ride and adjust like before
can’t test it now tranny is out !!
thanks i retorqued every part of the front suspension only the bearings are giving me a hard time

[BDA]

Always turn the hub while adjusting the bearings. If I use a torque wrench (beam type), I tighten to 5 ft-lbs. or so. It will be too tight. While turning the hub, loosen the nut to the first flat that lines up with the hole in the stub axle and the hub turns freely. There should be no play when pulling or pushing on the disc. Lock it down there.

[califkid_66]

did you like torqued it to 5 lbs and back one flat

[BDA]

I backed off the nut while turning the hub till it spins freely. Lock the nut where it first spins freely.

[califkid_66]

ok sound good i will do that thanks  again for your help

[Fotog]

I just wonder if you put new felt seals on at the inside.  It seems that most available are too thick, so if you were to tighten it, it would become tight without the bearing properly seating.  I got the seals from Moss Motors, but had to cut them to be significantly thinner.

[Fotog]

Here it is, on the axle:  Too thick for the bearing to seat.

[BDA]

Yeah, that’s been a problem lately. When I built my car it was before the seals were too thick so I didn’t consider that. Good call, Fotog!

[califkid_66]

wow that’s thick mine were half that i grease the back before putting them on the axles

[jbcollier]

Pull the felts.  Adjust the bearings again.  Work well now?  Felts are too thick.  We always save the old felts.

Tighten the hex nut until it goes "tight."  You will feel it.  The nut is spinning loose and then it suddenly snugs.  Do it two or three times to be sure and then set it "just" before it goes "snug".  As a final check, the hub should have zero to minimal play and you should be able to move the thick washer under the nut with a screwdriver tip.

[califkid_66]

i still have the old felts do you think i should just leave to old felts on
they looked good
the drag could possibly be the felt
im gonna put the old ones on and see how it goes

[jbcollier]

Yes!  Grease up the old felts and use them for sure.

[califkid_66]

ok great i will thanks again

[califkid_66]

changed the felts adjusted the bearings was much easier with old felts they spin freely no drag no loose
the felts were to thick causing drag old felt on left

[Fotog]

Thanks for the feedback.  You know I was wondering what caused your problem!
Vince