PROPER wheel bearing adjustment

[gmoutdoorsman]

I have a 1998 1/2 ton 2wd 1500,that I replaced the front wheel bearings (inner,outter,and seals) and ever since I've had a litte shimmy/shake in my steering wheel. I've always heard to tighten the nut tight and then add an extra 1/2-3/4 of a turn to it,and make sure the wheel still spins freely.I want to get rid of the shake in my wheel (I know its probably wearing the bearings out more).Any help is appreciated.Thanks

 

[Steve's Chevy]

if you replaced the races aswell they might need to be pushed farther in....Just crank down on the bearing a few turns till the wheel wont spin and back off and again..... helps seat the races......

that is exactly how I have to do it on mine !

 

[gmoutdoorsman]

The Timkin bearings came with races but I don't have a press to remove the old ones so I just installed the new bearings in the old races.Think that could be my issue?

 

[Steve's Chevy]

The Timkin bearings came with races but I don't have a press to remove the old ones so I just installed the new bearings in the old races.Think that could be my issue?

Probably not but ya never know......

To take out the races I use a flat punch/screwdriver and a BFH!!! and to install the new races I just put the old ones on top and tap the new ones in place.. Pretty simple.

 

[aarolar]

I personally would never ever use old races with new bearings. But then again I have a pretty bad case of CDO when it comes to rebuilding stuff so to each his own.

 

[sewlow]

Put the new races in the freezer for an hour or so. Warm the rotors a bit. A torch works best, but a heat gun will do. Gotta be quick when you put them together. And like Steve said. Use the old bearing to tap the new one in.

 

[gmoutdoorsman]

ok I will install new races when I swap the bearings(again) thanks for the advice

 

[Ruger_556]

Put the new races in the freezer for an hour or so. Warm the rotors a bit. A torch works best, but a heat gun will do. Gotta be quick when you put them together. And like Steve said. Use the old bearing to tap the new one in.

Exactly what I do on semi's... The easy way to set up wheel bearings if you're not going to use a torque wrench is to use a breaker bar to snug up the nut initially while turning the hub. This will seat the races etc... Then back off the nut one full turn and tighten hand tight (I usually just grab onto the socket and snug it up that way).

 

[michael hurd]

Proper adjustment: Tighten the nut fairly tight to make sure the races are seated, back off and hand tighten nut until there is no slack and install the cotter pin. If you have a dial indicator, that is the best way to adjust them. Side note... make sure you use the washer with the tab on it when you re-install the nut.