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Labor Day Putting down your wrenches or time for MORE wrenching? 
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| | | Forums66 Topics128,006 Posts1,055,268 Members48,418 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 43 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 43 | I have replaced the wheel bearings on my 53 3100 with roller bearings now how tight do I do I tighten the spindle nut? Assembly manual says start with 400 inch pounds but this just seems too tight.
Last edited by twheelock; 05/27/2014 10:07 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 255 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 255 | I usually go by "feel" on these. Tighten the nut until there is no or little movement when trying to move the wheel by pushing on the top of wheel and pulling on the bottom (while rotating the wheel). Look at your cotter pin hole and adjust (tighter or looser - depending on feel) so pin will slide in. Hope that helps - good luck. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 217 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 217 | I tighten down the spindle nut tight to set bearings, then back off until I can move the washer with a small screwdriver. Then go to nearest slot for the cotter key. Works for me! | | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,270 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,270 | Since you are going with the more modern roller bearings, you might want to check out the procedures from a more modern truck that came with roller bearings as stock. Carl
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 | There is a different procedure for roller bearings. I read it in a shop manual but I can't figure out which one now. | | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 | There is a different procedure for roller bearings. From an original 1958 Chevy truck service manual, page 3-12: On all except 2 1/2-ton models, tighten spindle nut to 33 ft-lb. torque while rotating hubs.
Also: On models using tapered bearings, back off spindle 1/6 turn minimum and install cotter pin if aligned with hole in the spindle. If not, back off slightly until hole aligns. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | 400 lbf-in = 33 lbf-ft
Bill | | |
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