Wheel Bearings

Automan1988 · Nov 16, 2007

I have a 92 4x4 Ranger and the front wheel bearing lock nut keeps coming loose. I have torqued it to 130 ft. lb. as I recall reading that that was the spec. The wheel bearings about a year old and are still good. Any ideas why they keep coming loose?

Mutant Pony · Nov 16, 2007

Most of the time they come loose because something wasn't done properly. I have read many posts with the same problem but, I've never had the problem myself.
What size tire are you running? Bigger tires seem to cause this more often.
Start by Torquing the first nut to 20 ft/lbs while turning the rotor, then back the nut off and hand tighten while holding the rotor still. Make sure the washer goes on the pin of the first nut and seats flat! Then tighten the second nut as tight as possible. you can break the second nut by over tightening it so it takes some trial and error to get it just right. I use my impact and just slam the nut down. I haven't broke one or had one come loose.
Most of the time when I fix someone elses, I find the pin pushed into the first nut because they didn't make sure it was lined up properly.

Sasquatch_Ryda · Nov 16, 2007

The torque spec that warn recommends is no where near enough if you are running larger than stock tires. I torque mine down to 230ft-lbs and have no problems with it.

Will · Nov 16, 2007

Here's the procedure more or less by the book.

Put the first nut on and torque it to 35ft#. Then turn the shit out of the rotor, back and forth and keep retorquing it to 35ft# until the nut won't go anymore. You have to squeeze the grease out or it will immediately loosen. It takes about ten sets of turning and retorquing before the bearing is fully seated.

Next, turn the nut carefully backwards 90 degrees. You will feel the tension go completely off the ratchet. Don't bump it--you don'e want anything to move.

Next, set the preload. This is important. The books says 16 INCH POUNDS. I go 25 INCH POUND. It's not much torque, but you need it. Two cans of beer stacked on a ratchet handle is about right.

Next, put the washer on making sure the tit goes into a hole. Torque the outer nut to 150ft#. Some people go more, I never do. I've run 35s with huge offset without it coming loose. I normally run 31s on stock rims.

Wheel Bearings

Automan1988

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