I was just wondering if anyone could tell me what to torque the wheel bearings to on a dana 44 front out of a 79 ford3/4ton.also having prblems overheating brakes on the front replced everthing from the master cyl. back except prop. valve.any thoughts thanks!!!!

 

I have never torqued a wheel bearing before. What I always do is tighten up the inner nut until snug then spin the wheel while I tighten the mess out of it, way past what it would normally or should be, and of course still spinning the wheel. This helps to pre load the bearing and promise long life. Then I back the nut off until there is a slight amount of slack in the bearing. I forgot to mention that this is easier done with a wheel on the hub. You should be able to move the wheel a slight amount, not much though and then put on the washer with the nipple and then the outer nut and tighten the outer nut as much as you can. Then re-check the play in the bearing should be a slight amount or none. I normally like to have none on a new bearing because in a while the bearing will seat and have a slight amount of play. This has always worked for me.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 23-Aug-02 AT 02:22 PM (EST)]Torque the adjusting nut to 50ft/lbs, spin wheel, back off 90 degrees/quarter turn, check end play (permitted spec is .001-.010"), install lock ring (select the nearest dowel hole that keeps end play within spec) and torque lock nut to between 50-70 ft/lbs.

 

ok guys i have a question for you concerning bearings also i have a 75 3/4 ton highboy with closed knuckle full time 4x4 now my question when you take everything off to adjust or repack the wheel bearings is it the same thing as doing it with an open knuckle part time 4x4 thanks my front wheels move up and down about 1 1/2 to 2 inches so its time for new bearings

louis

 

You might want to look real close at your ujoints while you're in there -----they will probably need to be replaced as well.......if you're going to go to all the work necessary to replace the bearings , I would redo Everything , including brakes while i was in there becasuse it is a Bit-H to have to take that piece of machinery apart!!!!!fd