Does anyone happen to know if there is a torque spec to use when tightening this castle nut? I can't seem to find anything for reference. I just don't want to put my new wheel bearings in a bind. :TU:
There is not a torque spec that I know of. You adjust that nut to remove free play in the bearings. Not too tight, just enough so that the wheel doesn't wobble or bind. If you get to a point where the fit is right but the nut is between the slots, back it off to put the cotter key in, do not tighten the nut further. It's better to leave it slightly loose to accommodate for thermal expansion.
Thanks! I guess that's why I couldn't find specs. I wanted to double-check before installation, though. It has been a while since I have installed wheel bearings. :grin:
If that's the case, make real sure you have the cups seated in the hub. I've seen where they weren't all the way in, and the wheel bearings loosened up.
The way I do it is I use an adjustable wrench or a pair of channel locks. While spinning the rotor or drum, I snug up and back off the castle nut to make sure everything is seated a couple times before I snug it down. Then back off the nut till the hole is exposed and your done. As Steve said, never tighten the nut to expose the hole. Its kind of "all in the wrist" so to speak. Hard to explain. Better for it to be loose than tight.
Thanks for the help! Everything seemed snug and I spun the hub while tightening the castle nut. Nothing was too tight.
