Front Wheel Bearings

[Bill S.]

I checked the factory manuel for the tolerances of the front wheel bearings on my
66 -- the range of .001 - .005 when while grasping tire at top and bottom and moving the tire in and out seems "very tight". Is this the way you check your bearings?
Thanks
Bill

[Duke W.]

Re: Front Wheel Bearings

Twenty threads per inch and six flats with two (perpendicular) cotter pin holes means each one-twelveth turn reduces clearance by .004", so there is ONE setting that will achieve the correct clearance.

Keep moving the nut forward in one-twelveth turn increments and install the cotter pin, until you cannot feel any clearance, then back off one-twelveth and check for clearance. If a tiny amount is evident, spread the cotter pin, and install the hub cap.

Duke

[Dennis C.]

Duke, Wish you were the tech writer for GM... *NM*

[Stephen W.]

Re: Front Wheel Bearings

Only thing I would add would be to rotate the wheel while tightening the nut.

[Duke W.]

Re: Front Wheel Bearings

With new bearings the nut should be slightly torqued - I think the spec is 12 or 20 foot pounds, and spin the wheel a few times. This should "seat" the bearings.

Then back off the nut and tighten it with your fingers as much as possible, and whatever extra is required with a crescent wrench to install the cotter in the next available location. Then check for clearance. If none, back off the nut one-twelveth, and check clearance.

As mentioned the way to check clearance is to grab the top and bottom of the tire and "wiggle" it. You should be able to hear/feel very slight play.

Duke

[Chuck S.]

Dennis, If He Were A Tech Writer For GM...

The first thing Duke would have said is disconnect the battery, then he would have jumped right to that part about spreading the cotter key.

[Duke W.]

Re: Dennis, If He Were A Tech Writer For GM...

Hey, that's what any good tech writer would do!

Duke