Wheel Bearing Adjustment
CAUTION:
Never preload tapered roller bearings or damage to roller ends will result. Bearings are designed to have a slightly loose feel when properly adjusted.
- Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel cover, then spin wheel by hand to check bearings for excessive tightness, looseness, noise or roughness.
- To check for tight or loose bearings, grip wheel assembly at top and bottom. Move assembly in and out while measuring hub movement. If movement is less than .0010" (.025 mm) or more than .0050" (.127 mm), adjust bearings.NOTE: Bearings should be cleaned, inspected, replaced (if necessary) and lubricated before adjustment.
- With hub dust cap and cotter pin removed, tighten spindle bearing nut to 12 ft. lbs. (16 N.m) while turning wheel forward by hand. Back off nut until it is just loose.
- Hand-tighten nut until snug, then loosen slightly (no more than 1/2 a flat) until new cotter pin can be inserted. Hub play (in and out) should be .0010-.0050" (.025-.127 mm) when properly adjusted. Install dust cap and wheel cover.