I was going to repack my wheel bearings on an older trailer for the first time. I didn't even need a wrench to take the nut with the codder key through it off. Is this normal? There is no way the nut could have loosened before because the codder key wasn't bent or anything. should I reassemble the bearing with the nut being slightly loose like it was? Thanks for any replies....
Yes, it's normal..a bearing nut is never tightened down, just snug..just a little more than hand tight..if you tighten it down, you can damage the bearing.
100psi on a torgue wrench on your wheel lugs. On the nut that has the codder key, it just has to be tight enuff to slide the codder key thru. The key will prevent the nut from falling off, and then you bend the ears of the codder key, so it does not slide out. Use a new codder key as the old one may be rusted or may have been bent too many times.
Yes you should keep the nut a little loose. This allows for the proper clearance. If you over tighten or leave the bearing to loose. You will have premature bearing failure. After you repack the bearings, make sure you install a new grease seal. VERY important! To tighten the bearings, very easy. What you need to do is... 1) Put the rotor or drum on and tighten the nut with your fingers as tight as you can, while pushing the rotor as far back as possible. 2) Next use a pair of pliers in your hand or a socket with a small ratchet. I preffer pliers so I don't over tighten the nut. With 1 hand tightening the nut and the other hand spinning the rotor or drum. Keep snugging and loosening the nut until you get all the play out of the bearing and it is fully seated. This will take 5-6 time to be sure. Continual spinning of the rotor. after the bearing feels seated fully and you tighten the nut with moderate pressure using the pliers. Until you can't spin the the nut any tighter with out forcing it to hard. The just back it off 1/8 of a turn. Thats it. Pretty easy once you have done a few. ---Mechanic for 13 years. Bearings last me over 120,000 miles.
I agree with eamber 246, to a point. i have never heard of anyone using a pair of pliers on a nut holding a hub onto an axle. I have owned quite a few boats and I am a transmission mechanic by trade. Most of the nuts holding hubs onto axles I have seen have all been over 28mm in diameter. Way too large for pliers. In my experience, and I have had a little in the trade and out, I have always used a shifter or adjustable spanner to hold the nut while tightening. As eamber said though, you have to be careful not too over tighten or leave too loose
greater advantageous than happy to help. First--what variety of motor vehicle are we speaking approximately. IF this is truthfully one in all the front wheels===there's a spindle nut that keeps the wheel bearings besides because of the fact the wheel hub. while the Spindle nut is bumped off or reinstalled it calls for a Kotter Key to be placed via an modern-day hollow in the spindle. Tje Kotter key's a secure practices to ward off the Spindle from backing off and to maintain the Spindle Nut from transforming into to Tight. This nut is likewise adjustable to preload the wheel bearing. supply added suggestions and that i will do my superb to help inclusive of your situation. Blessing, jerry
