Torque Specifications on Wheel Bearings
by Kevin Mclain
All vehicles come equipped with wheel bearings. The wheel bearings are responsible for allowing the wheels to be able to turn properly on the spindle. The wheel bearing is held in place by an inner and outer nut. Both of these nuts have to tightened and torqued for the wheel bearing to be able to work properly. If the torquing procedure for the wheel bearing nuts is not done properly, it can cause the bearing to wear out prematurely from the friction of being over-tightened or from the looseness of being under-tightened.
Overview of a Wheel Bearing
A wheel bearing is designed with a bunch of rollers that are enclosed inside of a round metal cage. The rollers enable the bearing to turn the wheel hub. The wheel bearing also has a race in the center of the bearing that is seated around the spindle. As the vehicle is in motion the wheel bearing turns at the same time as the wheel is turning. The wheel bearing makes it possible for the wheels to be able to turn with no restrictions and with no slack.
Different Types of Wheel Bearings
There are different types of wheel bearings to consider when torquing a wheel-bearing nut. Not all of the wheel-bearing nuts will require the same torquing procedure. This is why it is important to know the different types of wheel bearings and the different torquing procedures for the wheel-bearing nuts.
Torquing the Drive Axle Wheel Bearing Nuts Without Lock Washers
Torque the inner nut to 200 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and a socket for the initial adjustment. Back off of the inner nut one complete turn. Turn the hub in a clockwise direction with your hands to free up restrictions from the wheel bearing. Re-torque the inner nut to 50 foot-pounds with the torque wrench and socket. Back off of the nut one-quarter of a turn. Torque the outer jam nut to 250 foot-pounds with the torque wrench and a socket. Do not back off of the nut.
Torquing the Drive Axle Wheel Bearing Nuts With Lock Washer
Torque the inner nut to 200 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and a socket for the initial adjustment. Back off of the inner nut one complete turn. Turn the hub in a clockwise direction with your hands to free up restrictions from the wheel bearing. Re-torque the inner nut to 50 foot-pounds with the torque wrench and socket. Back off of the nut one-quarter of a turn. Torque the outer jam nut to 150 foot-pounds with the torque wrench and a socket. Do not back off of the nut.
Torquing the Wheel-Bearing Nuts on Front Non-Drive Steer Axles
Torque the inner nut to 100 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and a socket for the initial adjustment. Back off of the inner nut one complete turn. Turn the hub in a clockwise direction with your hands to free up restrictions from the wheel bearing. Re-torque the inner nut to 20 foot-pounds with the torque wrench and socket. Back off of the nut one-third of a turn. Torque the outer jam nut to 150 foot-pounds with the torque wrench and a socket. Do not back off of the nut.
References
Writer Bio
Kevin Mclain has more than 20 years of automotive, home improvement and landscaping experience. He has been writing for various online publications since 2002. Mclain has U.S. Army certification in automotive maintenance and repair, among more than 15 additional certifications related to the automotive field.
