wheel bearing preload

[cityboy4x4]

I'm doing brakes this weekend.
I've searched the "station" and can't find the procedure for preloading the bearings.
i know there are some torque specs and some "turn back 1/2 or 1/4 turn" but I'm not sure how much of what
does anyone know the "Ford" procedure/torque specs for this?
It would be so helpful to have the proper procedure.

thanks all

Guy

2003 ranger 2wd 3.0 V6

 

[98 ranger xlt]

This is how i do it turn nut until snug back off 1/8th turn and put cotter pin in NOTE: always use new cotter pins theyre cheaper than a life.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

NOTE: always use new cotter pins theyre cheaper than a life.

+100000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

 

[Will]

It's important to follow the steps shown in the manual. And small spindle should be done like this, including trailers. The only difference between this and a full-floater or a 4x4 front bearing is the bearing setting torque is much lower on a 2wd or trailer because the bearings are small.

Turning the wheel while torquing it sets the bearing and forces excess grease out. Keep doing that until the torque wrench clicks repeatedly without tightening further. This ensures the bearing is done moving. WHen you do the 1/2 turn of loosening you will feel the load suddenly come off the nut. The preload is in inch#--a couple of beers stacked on the end of an 8" ratchet handle is about the force you are looking for--you can't do this without beer, if your wife asks. There is supposed to be none, but in reality it takes a very slight amount to get to none because there is grease in the way, so that's why the specify that small amount of torque.

 

[kevinsranger]

The preload is in inch#--a couple of beers stacked on the end of an 8" ratchet handle is about the force you are looking for--you can't do this without beer, if your wife asks. .

haha i love the redneck torque wrench. great idea. would that be bottles or cans?

 

[Beanmachine7000]

haha i love the redneck torque wrench. great idea. would that be bottles or cans?

It would seem to me cans are what is required (you ever tried to stack a couple bottles? ha ha)

 

[kevinsranger]

It would seem to me cans are what is required (you ever tried to stack a couple bottles? ha ha)

depends on how many u drank before u started lol. i have drank enough to try

 

[yellowoctupus]

Thanks for posting the 2wd manual shot, Will! Still useful years later!

 

[Eddo Rogue]

its all because metal expands as its heated. just leave a lil room for those bearings to stretch their arms a bit, but not too much, they still need to touch....bearings can be insecure lil creatures....

 

[yellowoctupus]

Interestingly, after doing the 'bearing seating' high load, and then the 15inlbs load, my wheels still had play, so I had to increase the torque on the nut. Brand new Timken bearings and races. I'm going to drive it to work tomorrow, see how they feel on the way (temp and play). Seems odd that I had to put a higher preload on them like that.

 

[JMF661]

Follow the manual posts! I can check mine for the 2wd! Pretty sure these guys already copied on here!

 

[yellowoctupus]

Follow the manual, even if it leaves the bearings slightly loose? I can feel the play in the bearings when I rock the wheel up and down (on jackstands).

 

[19Walt93]

Following the manual doesn't leave the bearings loose, they'll end up with slight preload. The tiny pressure preload puts on the bearings is nothing compared to the weight of the truck.

 

[yellowoctupus]

That's what I would have thought, but sure enough, I can rock the wheel in and out at the factory torque ratings. I drove it only around the block last night; I'll jack it up when I get home and recheck the torque/rocking in case something wasn't seated all the way somehow. When I put the races in they appeared and sounded like they were well seated in the hub, but who knows. Other than that I'm not sure why they wouldn't have a slight preload at that 15in-lbs.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

check them when they're hot, give a jiggle and a spin on a jack