Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Axel Bearing Spec?

[GeneralMachine]

Hey guy's ive read on this and im not real sure on the factory spec, and the rule of thumb. if i set it up like the spec says it seems too loose to me, im not wanting to be on the sie of the road with wheel bearings out. the spec is 0. 001-0. 010. i wasa woundering where the window should be. Tia Harv

 

[KTobin]

Pack your bearing even though it's oil lubed. Repace the oil seal and torque the retaining nut with a 2 9/16" axel wrench, to between 120 and 140 pounds while rotating the hub. Back the nut off 1/8 to 1/3 turn and this will allow for . 001" to. 009" end play. replace the locating locking wedge, and your done.

Kevin

 

[GeneralMachine]

Kevin, That's what the service man states, I done just that after backing it off the 1/8 to 1/3 turn with a dial indicator i have no end play. I have to back off a full half turn to read 0. 002. that's what's bugging me. thx for the reply. Harv

 

[GKarpen]

I measured mine B4 removing the hubs and there was no end play. I redid them when I converted from drums to disc brakes. The races and bearings were like new. Not a spec of ware w/ 80K on the clock. So I cleaned and repacked, added new seals, nut and pins and went with the 120 ft pounds and backed it off 120 degrees which left . 000 end play. Why change from a good thing.

 

[KTobin]

If you're looking for end play between the nut and bearing after backing off 1/8 to 1/3 turns, forget it! the end play will be present but if you're trying to put a feeler guage between, you won't be able. The end play will be inheirent and you will just have to accept it. By following this proceedure, you will not over tighten or under tighten your bearing. Torque to 140 pounds and feel the resistance of hub spin, now back it off 1/8 turn, if you don't like it, back it off a full 1/3 turn. The bearing will seat and you will be fine. Never mind trying to use a feeler guage, after you drop the truck and drive out of the driveway, you will have your endplay.

Kevin

 

[GeneralMachine]

axel bearing

Kevin the way im checking it is with a dial indicator mag base stuck to the end of the axel indicating on the hub. the deal that was concerning me is the manuel states that after backing it off 1/8-1/3 turn you would have the . 001-. 0010,at even one third turn back i still have no end play. i have it set right now at 0. 005 thats the center of the spec dodge gives so here we go. thx again for you post. im sure not wanting to smoke the diff could get costley.

 

[KTobin]

I understand your concern, but I've packed a lot of bearings using cruder methods than dial indicators and have never burned one out yet. My Dodge is my 3rd full floating differential and I've had to pull the axels on each and every brake change. A well packed bearing that has been torqued and set will not easily release itself by simply backing off the hub nut and I believe that if you rely upon backing it off till the dial indicator says . 005, you may, after driving a block, find that your end play has greatly increased. I'm comfortable using the tried and true method. Now I must go and do my annual boat trailer bearings... ... again.

Kevin