Trivia for today - Front wheel bearing adjustment - Camaro brakes

[DanEC]

Noticed one of my front wheel bearings had loosened up a little and went to tighten it up yesterday. The manual reminded me these aren't like most 50s, 60s era wheel bearings apparently. The specs in the manual are for new bearings and said to tighten to 20 ft lb initially, back off and then re-tighten to 15 ft lbs, then tighten until cotter pin will go in. However, nothing mentioned (that I saw) on used or seated in bearing adjustment. I ended up tightening them to what I hope is around 15 ft lbs (1/2 inch torque wrench starts at 20 and 1/4 inch one didn't appear to go that high). Seemed to match the other side in drag pretty well.

Anyone use a different method?

[Jerry Clayton]

I haven't looked at wheel bearing torque specs for years until a couple weeks ago when I was doing new hubs/bearings on my F350---it was something around 20 lbs then back off and then go to 17 INCH lbs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
so you might want to check that second spec??????????

I just went and looked up several different makes on front wheel bearings and they varied from 12 ft lbs to 20 and then back off and retighten to 15-17 inch lbs while most stated FINGER tight then back off for the cotter key-------

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by Jerry Clayton

I haven't looked at wheel bearing torque specs for years until a couple weeks ago when I was doing new hubs/bearings on my F350---it was something around 20 lbs then back off and then go to 17 INCH lbs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
so you might want to check that second spec??????????

I just went and looked up several different makes on front wheel bearings and they varied from 12 ft lbs to 20 and then back off and retighten to 15-17 inch lbs while most stated FINGER tight then back off for the cotter key-------

Jerry - I looked again and you are exactly right - should be 15 in-lbs. Looks like I will be going back over them again. Finally something I can use that 1/4 torque wrench for that I've had for years.

Thanks.

[kevins2]

Hi Dan,

I don't own a torque wrench that reads inch lbs, but had borrowed one before and recalled that 15 in-lbs was barely more than finger tight. I snugged my wheel bearings down and tightened to the next slot for the cotter pin. One did develop a little bit of play in it and I tightened it to the next slot and it was fine. Maybe someone with a lot more experience will weigh in and point out the actual "right" way to do it...

Kevin

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by kevins2

Maybe someone with a lot more experience will weigh in and point out the actual "right" way to do it...

Kevin

Jerry Clayton did that.

[Gaz64]

Originally Posted by Jerry Clayton

I haven't looked at wheel bearing torque specs for years until a couple weeks ago when I was doing new hubs/bearings on my F350---it was something around 20 lbs then back off and then go to 17 INCH lbs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
so you might want to check that second spec??????????

I just went and looked up several different makes on front wheel bearings and they varied from 12 ft lbs to 20 and then back off and retighten to 15-17 inch lbs while most stated FINGER tight then back off for the cotter key-------

Sounds ok to me.

Some do them up too tight, some too loose. Both are wrong.

[Jerry Clayton]

Thanks Charles

[DanEC]

All fixed. Fortunately, I think they were quite a bit under 15 ft lbs so no harm done. And I finally used that 1/4 inch torque wrench that has been taking up drawer space.

Thanks again for filling in the gap on my reading comprehension.

[Rick Parker]

Is this thread focused on using, Granada spec rotors that have the roller bearing races within the 1 piece hub/rotor? IE mid 70's Ford Rotors/and Camaro Calipers? What spindle hubs are used by ERA for their applications?

[ERA Chas]

I believe they are Camaro spindles and GM big car (like '70's Impala) 11" rotors Rick.
ERA modifies the steering knuckle.
At least that was used on the early cars like mine.

[Rick Parker]

Thank you Charles. It that front or rear steer?

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by Rick Parker

Thank you Charles. It that front or rear steer?

Front.