front spindle nuts

how tight are you supposed to tighten those 2 front spindle nuts? mine seem to keep comming loose and I end up burnin' up the bearings costing me mucho $$...

- evan

 

I adjust the bearings as Sparky posted, then tighten the jam nut to about 75lbs.

 

My TJ kept doing that on one side after I swapped in my full width D44. Turns out that the nipple that engaged the locking ring in bewteen the two nuts had broken off, so the lock nut wasn't able to do it's job. Might be something to look at.

 

Once you bend the tabs on the washers they should never come loose!!

 

I've also seen a ring instead of the lock nut. It had a allen set screw that screwed into holes in the washer between the nut and ring. maybe that was only on the D-25? :?

 

And, why, yes this text is big
I've not seen my spindle nuts, but no castle nuts/cotter pins?

 

I tighten mine until I feel significant drag spinning the tire. Keeping the tire spinning the whole time I am tightening. Then back it off and tighten it a little past hand tight. Then install the locking tab washer and lock nut. Not sure what torque spec it is but I would say I am close to the 75lbs that someone mentioned.

The first step of tightening while spinning the tire is important to properly seat the bearings and races. I have quit bending the locktab over the lock nut and haven't had one come loose between cleanings. I probably clean them twice a season. More if I have been sitting in water or mud.

 

I would like to caution you on not bending the lock ring tabs over. I had a set that were worn out by being straightened then bent several times over. As a result, the lock ring didn't have much strength in the tab, the tab broke, and both spindle nuts backed off the spindle causing the whole tire, hub, etc. loosened on my FRONT axle (driver side). Fortunately when it happened I was going about 3 mph through a water bar and no real damage was done, the tire just got wedged on the spindle at about a 25 degree angle. The snap ring on the end of the axle got a little tweaked, but I think it prevented the tire from coming completely off the spindle. I cringe at the thought of the tire coming off at speed. As a preventative measure, I have replaced all four lock rings (FF installed) and I try not to bend the ring over in the same location. Haven't had any problems since.

 

If i remeber correctly, its 50 ft lbs, then you back 1/4 turn. My bearings kept coming loose. I think its because I always used a hammer and a chiesel to tighten them, and that dosn't really seat the bearings like 50 ft lbs would. So slop kept developing. I know, I know... the spindle socket is the next thing on my list.

 

I just went through my wheel bearings. When I replaced the bearings, nuts, and washers 4-5 years ago I did not bend the washers. Everything was in good shape when I pulled it apart this time. Put everything back together the same way.

 

the washer and nut set I got recently did not have bend tabs on the washers.

 

they don't
you bend the washer over one of the flats of the outer nut
they don't come pre-formed or pre-bent
those that are not bending the washer over are making a mistake in my opinion
it's done for a very good reason

 

There are no bend tabs on the washer you simply bend the edge of the washer over the outer nut in 2 places, this way the nut cannot come loose at all.

And Brad as for the washer not being bent and you replaced it that way doesn't make it right or safe, even after 4 years. It only take once for the nut to come loose to kill you and some innocent bystander!!
Please take the time to fix this the right way before you or someone else, maybe a loved one is a statistic.

 

so, you just bend the washer over at a couple of spots? using what sort of tool? going to put on the hubs this week, so this is timely.

 

Take a screw driver (carefully) and slip it in beside the washer edge and pull it back toward you, once it starts to bend, it will bend easily, then just push it up against a flat on the outer nut. Be carefull as to wear you place the screw driver, try it near one of the hubs bolts as this is the thickest part of the hub and they can crack if done to hard.

 

as usual, you are a wealth of information, Mcruff: thank you

 

x2

Just did this and that's what the book said.

 

that washer is certainly hard to bend. should it bend over almost 90 degrees against the nut flat? I didn't want to prise too hard and crack the hub.. the washer is fairly thick.