Topic: 85 Wheel Bearing Preload?

[SlayTank]

85 4x4 wheel bearings.

So the deal is I rebuilt the front axle about a year ago (axle seals, wheel seals, wheel bearings) I am now regearing to 4.88 so I disassembled the spindles to pull the axles. And it looks like the wheel bearing races have been spinning on the spindles. So maybe I didn't tighten the wheel bearing adjusting nut enough. I got the diff in and axle back in, I reassembled the wheel bearings using the Haynes manual and a pull scale, it says to measure the drag of the seals(which is 5lbs) then tighten adj. nut to 18 ft-lbs and measure the preload and it should be 6.4-12.6 lbs more then the seal drag. So I need 11.4-17.6 lbs of preload.

I can't get anymore preload then 6lbs, EVEN after torquing the adj nut to 60 ft-lbs!

I want to stop the bearings from spinning but don't want to roast them ether.

The bearings look fine and are Koyo's. there is a bit of discoloring and scoreing the the surface of the inside races and the spindles. but nothing looks to bad.

What do you guys think?

?don't worry what the preload is and just torque the nut? torque to 18ft-lbs? torque to 30ft-lbs?

Has anyone had this problem before?

Thanks

[OVRAROK]

Torque spindle nut to 43 ft. lbs.
Spin hub right 4-5 rotations
Spin hub left 4-5 rotations
Loosen inner spindle nut
Spin hub right 4-5 rotations
Spin hub left 4-5 rotations
Torque spindle nut to 43 ft. lbs.
Spin hub right 4-5 rotations
Spin hub left 4-5 rotations
Loosen inner spindle nut
Spin hub right 4-5 rotations
Spin hub left 4-5 rotations
Torque spindle nut to ~21 ft. lbs.

[jssgbsn]

Torque spindle nut to 43 ft. lbs.
Spin hub right 4-5 rotations
Spin hub left 4-5 rotations
Loosen inner spindle nut
Spin hub right 4-5 rotations
Spin hub left 4-5 rotations
Torque spindle nut to 43 ft. lbs.
Spin hub right 4-5 rotations
Spin hub left 4-5 rotations
Loosen inner spindle nut
Spin hub right 4-5 rotations
Spin hub left 4-5 rotations
Torque spindle nut to ~21 ft. lbs.

I do this procedure and it works everytime.  I do the 43lb torque process more than twice cause I get a little OCD with it.  That part of the process makes sure the bearing and race is fully seated.  The last torwue of 21lb is what should be giving you the preload.  If you have bigger tires 35"+ you may end up going tighter than 21lbs torque.  Bascially do the 43lb cycle a few times, then you can just play around with the final torque to get the preload you want.  I go higher between 12-15lbs of preload, but that's my preference.

Try the cycle described above, IIRC it should give 8-10lbs of preload.  I honestly don't remember because on the last torqu I am always increasing/decreasing a few times until the preload is in the range I want.

Good luck!!