When a brake job goes wrong - how to fix this

[curtis73]

94 B4000 4wd with manual hubs

I decided to do the brakes today. I pulled the driver's side apart to find that the lock nut was only finger tight, but the bearing nut was as expected and the bearings were properly set. No worries, I thought. I guessed the previous owner just didn't do it right and I dodged a bullet.

New rotors went on, 35 lb ft to set, back off, 16 in lbs final. As I put the lock nut on and got to probably 20 ft-lbs, the inner nut and keyed washer started turning and the rotor got tight. I assumed I sheared the tab off the washer. When I took it back off, the washer was fine, but it just dug a groove out of the threads on the spindle. Now I can't set the outer nut. Since it is on the driver's side, the locking washer will prevent the inner from coming loose.... unless the lock nut backs off far enough that the lock washer can slip off the pin.

Short of buying a new spindle, how can I fix this? I can't get the outer lock nut nearly tight enough before it just spins the lock washer and inner nut.

 

[Uncle Gump]

not sure I've ever seen that happen...

Does the inner nut still have the pin for the lock washer? Maybe the locking tab on the washer is worn to much.... allowing it to spin past the groove?

 

[curtis73]

Inner nut still has the pin. Regardless of the wear on the washer, the groove has been cut in the threads. I think a new washer would spin just as easily. I'll try to get some pictures.

 

[curtis73]

Idea.... tell me if I'm crazy. There is plenty of thread left when it's all assembled. What if I ordered two new retaining washers, put the old ones inside between the inner nut and bearing? That would space the inner nut (and therefore the new retainer) out by 1/8" where there is no groove. Will that be too much and the hubs won't seat properly?

 

[curtis73]

 

[bobbywalter]

Stack the washers to get by or get a set of stage 8.


Or If you don't have huge tires get some ratchet nuts off of a 150. 5 bux at the junkyard if one is near.

 

[bobbywalter]

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Stage 8

The World's Best Locking Fastener

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I am not where I have spindles or I would send you one. Get a spindle when you can.

 

[curtis73]

Just 32". Nothing huge. And my off-roading is light enough that I just have stock manual hubs and they haven't broken.... yet.

The passenger side went as planned. I ordered a new set of retainer washers and I'll try stacking one between the nut and bearing. I tested the bad side by putting the outer toothed washer and C-clip on, then backing the outer nut the whole way out to meet it. I had more than the thickness of a retainer to spare, and the hub still seated on the rotor so I'll give it a shot. If you read about a totaled B4000 for sale on the forum, you know it didn't work well.

 

[bobbywalter]

new ones are 150 bux....but i get em very cheap from my yard back home.

 

[curtis73]

Yeah... I found a Chinesium one for $100. I'm going to see how comfy I feel with the extra washer first. That should get me through the Kung Flu Pandemic when I can hit up some junkyards.

Another question, as this is my first Branger.... well, my first 4wd Branger...

I'm finding that (even on the "good" side) when I set the bearing at 16 inlbs (which for me is to grab the socket and turn it a bit) then set the lock nut at 150 ft-lbs, the bearing gets a wee bit stiffer. The first time I did it, I verified my bearing tightness by spinning the rotor. When I torqued down the lock nut it got a wee bit tighter even though the inner nut didn't turn. It was just tight enough that I was afraid of heat, so I reset the inner nut one hole back on the retainer. I didn't notice any play in the bearing, so when I put the lock nut back on at 150 ft lb, it has the tiniest bit of drag. I feel good about how it spins and there is no play, but I was surprised to notice the difference.

Doing something wrong? Is the big torque on the lock nut just stretching the spindle a wee bit?

 

[bobbywalter]

i have a cam tool i use for back up or modded channel locks when they want to do that.


direct tq wrench to 150 works fine that way on a stretched hub. once they stretch your fawgged.


a stage 8 or ratchety nut usually works fine in this case. and is cheaper.

 

[curtis73]

I searched for the stage 8 nuts and couldn't find them. Can you point me?

 

[bobbywalter]

Stage 8

The World's Best Locking Fastener

www.stage8.com

 

[bobbywalter]

call summit.....probably have them tomorrow.

 

[Curious Hound]

Stage 8

The World's Best Locking Fastener

www.stage8.com

Wow. Their X-lock is a great looking system. Wish they had them for the Dana 35.