I'm ready to start putting my axle assembly back together again. I don't have a dial gauge to measure the end float. Any tips on wheel bearing adjustment?
Wheel Bearing Adjustment
Collapse
X
-
you can buy a dial from harbor frieght for about 15 bucks. However, you can set up the bearings by hand by tightening the hub nut until you can grab the hub on opposite sides, rock it back and forth and feel no lateral movement. The hub should still rotate freely. Make sure to pack your bearings and bend over the tabs on the locking washer and it should be fine. The land rover has a lot of bearing surface in the hubs for a vehicle of its size. -
I don't use a dial indicator, and have never had any trouble.
No need to pack the bearings as they are lubricated by the axle case oil. I do coat them in oil prior to reassembly.
Tighten the bearing nut (while spinning the hub by hand) until the hub jams.
Back off the nut until the hub spins with very slight resistance. Pull the hub back and forth to make sure that there is very little back play. Spin hub again to make sure that the resistance is the same. Tighten jam nut, spin hub again to check it, and you are good to go.
Remember that too loose is better than too tight.Last edited by jp-; 02-20-2007, 01:06 PM.61 II 109" Pickup (Restomod, 350 small block, TR4050)
66 IIA 88" Station Wagon (sold)
66 IIA 109" Pickup (Restomod, 5MGE, R380)
67 IIA 109" NADA Wagon (sold)
88, 2.5TD 110 RHD non-hicap pickup
-I used to know everything there was to know about Land Rovers; then I joined the RN Bulletin Board.Comment
-
No need to pack the bearings as they are lubricated by the axle case oil
-IkeComment
-
Grease shouldn't hurt anything at all.
Go ahead and use it, but use a quality high temp grease.61 II 109" Pickup (Restomod, 350 small block, TR4050)
66 IIA 88" Station Wagon (sold)
66 IIA 109" Pickup (Restomod, 5MGE, R380)
67 IIA 109" NADA Wagon (sold)
88, 2.5TD 110 RHD non-hicap pickup
-I used to know everything there was to know about Land Rovers; then I joined the RN Bulletin Board.Comment
-
i would recommend packing the bearings, they are not lube well enough by the rear diff.at all.
never dialed
mine at all and i've had series rovers well over 30 + years,no problems yet. go by feel ,no slopped with hands @6:00 -12:00 while yanking on the hub,back and forth, a good smooth rotating hub is what you want.
www.singingcamel.comComment
-
Originally posted by jp-Grease shouldn't hurt anything at all.
I pack the bearings with grease (never hurts), smear a thin layer of grease over the seal race & lip and assemble the bearings & hub on the stub axle.
Add the inner washer and inner nut. Tighten down the nut to seat the bearings. Spin the hub then make sure the nut is tight.
Back the nut off 1-1/2 flats from tight. Add the lock washer and other nut.
It is adjusted.-
Teriann Wakeman_________
Flagstaff, AZ.
1960 Land Rover Dormobile, owned since 1978
My Land Rover web site
Comment
-
Originally posted by Jim-METeriAnn,
What is your definition of tight. As tight as I can get it? Thanks in advance for a reply.
Setting bearings too tight shortens their service life, but having them slightly loose does not negatively affect service life.
1-1/2 flats can feel slightly loose but the second nut tightens tolerances up just a little. The nuts tend to be just a little sloppy on the stub shaft threads.
I know some experienced people who back off 2 flats but I've always felt more wobble than I want to feel at 2 flats. I've driven a lot of miles at 1-1/2 flats and never had a bearing go bad.-
Teriann Wakeman_________
Flagstaff, AZ.
1960 Land Rover Dormobile, owned since 1978
My Land Rover web site
Comment
-
I also use the 'feel' method for all wheel bearings.
I tighten the inner nut as tight as I can by hand, while spinning the hub clockwise with the other hand, and check for backlash. (if I install new bearings and races, I will tighten the inner nut with the big socket and a breaker bar to ensure everything is seated fully, and then back it off totally loose, and then use the feel method.) If bearings and races are new, I ALWAYS re-check within 200 miles to be sure they are still correctly set. THIS IS IMPORTANT!!!
On my series, I soak the bearings with 140W gear oil, as they do get "splash oil". On the defender (and not a bad idea at all on any vehicle) I fully pack them with synthetic grease, and then pack around them after installation. There is virtually no air space in my hubs for condensation to form, or water to get in. Cheap insurance...Owner: James Leach Global Expedition Services.
1995 110 RegularComment
Comment