Front Wheel Bearings - how tight?

[sbbaxter]

Hi

I've just replaced the front wheel bearings on my '78 Spider. But I don't have a torque wrench which goes down to 5 foot pounds - and the Hynes Manual says tighten the locking nut to 5 foot pounds, then loosen 1/2 a flat on the nut???

How tight should the nut be? I've tightened and loosened it to ~15-20 pounds, to seat the bearing. How tight should I leave it (before knocking in the lock nut sides)?


Thanks

[manoa matt]

Its more by feel than a specific torque value. Install the tire/rim. Grasp the tire/rim at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock and push with one hand while pulling with the other rocking the wheel back and forth , then at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock, push and pull. If the retaining nut is too loose you will feel the hub and bearings rocking back and forth. Tighten the nut some and spin the wheel and push and pull it from side to side and up and down.

You want it just tight enough so you don't feel any play in the assembly. If its too tight, and the bearings are compressed you will feel resistance when trying to spin the rim/wheel.

[sbbaxter]

OK, thanks.

Next question then. The manual says to fill the hub cap with grease and refit. But when I try and refit, there's an air lock inside the hub which keeps pushing the cap out - so I can't get it to seat all the way. On the left, I gave up in the end and drilled a tiny hole in the dead centre of the cap; which I've now screwed a self tapping screw into to stop air getting in.

Any suggestions?

[azruss]

too much grease. most of it just sits in the cap anyway and doesnt make it to the bearing. I check my bearing play by grabbing the top of the tire and pushing it in and out. should be a barely perceptable amount of play.

[kmead]

Just follow the Haynes directions. They seem a bit arcane but do work. A torque wrench doesn't cost much and will be useful for as long as you own your car.

If you do the grab the wheel approach, they will be too loose.

[majicwrench]

Lots of good advice.
Most people tend to get em too tight, it seems like such a big nut....
Matt's right is kind of a feel thing for the most part. I use channel lock pliers, and just snug it down with no real force as I am spinning the hub, then back it up just a skoosh. ( a tech term from way back)
Nothing wrong with checking play after you are done. If you can feel a TINY bit of play, that is OK. Anymore than that is too loose, try again. And it is near imposssible to tell when checking play if you have them too tight.
Good luck
Keith