What is the front wheel bearing torque procedure for a 1997 Ranger, 4x4 with Auto Hubs? There is a single "wheel bearing adjusting nut" with the little locking key that must be inserted between the axle shaft and the nut after the nut is properly adjusted.

Two hours with the search function yielded results for 4x2 or manual hubs, but a surprising dirth of info for 4x4 with auto hubs. My Chilton's is useless for the 4x4 and just sends the reader in an endless Do-loop between chapter 1 and chapter 7.

 

Lacking further guidance, this is the procedure I used:

AUTOMATIC LOCKING HUBS Wheel Bearing Adjustment:

1. Tighten the wheel bearing adjusting nut to 35 ft. lbs. (6 Nm) to seat the bearings while spinning the rotor.
2. Spin the rotor and back off the wheel bearing adjusting nut 1/4 turn (90°).
3. Retighten the wheel bearing adjusting nut to 16 inch lbs. (1.8 Nm).
4. Align the closest lug in the wheel bearing adjusting nut with the center of the spindle keyway slot. Advance the nut to the next if required.
5. Install the locking key in the spindle keyway under the adjusting nut.
6. CAUTION Extreme care must be taken when aligning the adjusting nut with the center of the spindle keyway slot to prevent damage to the locking key. The wheel and tire assembly may come off while the vehicle is in motion if the key is damaged.
7. WARNING Do not damage the locking key when installing the cam assembly.

16 inch-lbs isn't much more than finger tight, so gave it a good tight by finger only. It's quite solid with no runout.