Axle adjustment question

[tmacc]

I have a 10K equipment trailer that I use to haul my 29hp tractor around as well as contruction material. I'm told that the axles are from a mobile home. What kind of specs should I use to adjust the axle bearings? i. e. How much torque should I use? How far should I back the nut off after tightening. Thanks in advance.

 

[NIsaacs]

On small trailer wheel bearings, I like to set them just snug, with no movement of the hub. When I say snug, I mean just past finger tight. Sometimes with the cotter pin type lock, it is hard to get them exact. One hole may be too tight and the other may be too loose. In this case I will usually use the loose setting. Wheel bearings will run forever loose, but will get hot and sieze if they are too tight. When you first install the hub back on the axle, tighten the nut good and tight so as to seat the rear bearing on the axle, then loosen and start your adjustment.





"NICK"

 

[RCook]

An easy way to get the castle nuts tightened exactly right is to get a few extra nuts. If the one you're working on doesn't eliminate bearing slop with the cotter pin in, and the next cotter pin position is too tight, try a different nut. I've always been able to find one that works better, usually after trying only one other nut.

 

[bombero]

The way I been doing it for 30+ years is: Once you have it packed good, start hand spinning and tighten the nut pretty tight. Then get a torque wrench and while still turning it , torque to 50fp. Now back off the nut to the first hole you can get a cotter pin thru. Now that being said, better a little loose than tight. This is only for wheels not women!!

 

[Dieselnerd]

The method I use from my Dexter Axle manual is similar to what Bombero said with a minor difference. Tighten to 50 foot pounds while spinning the wheel, then with the wheel stopped, loosen the nut until you can turn it with your fingers. Turn it in with your fingers as tight as you can and insert the cotter pin. If you have to back off slightly to get the cotter in that's OK. Too tight and you run hot, slightly loose is fine. Once it's been preloaded with the torque wrench and then loosened you should not use a wrench again, just fingers.

 

[bombero]

I was thinking today about the post I submitted. That is the way I have been doing it and never had a problem. But every time I stop at a rest area or to eat, I walk around my rig and feel the hubs. They should be warm not hot or leaking alot of grease out of them

 

[Turbo Thom]

Bombera, I've never thought about it, but your way is pretty close to what I do also. The only bearing I've had to burnnup was on a new trailer. Never one I installed.



Works.



. . Preston. .