The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Caged Roller Bearing Question

Just assembling the front Huck brakes on my '49 3600 (3/4 ton). MIght be a dumb question, but I'm asking anyway I'm seeing conflicting answers to this on "the Google" so figured I better ask before I start doing anything rash.

Normally, I snug the bearings up tight, give them a couple rolls and then back off until I can feel a little play, then tighten to where that just disappears. Has worked for years and I've yet to lose a bearing.

On this '49 I have to back the castle nut off to where there is just a slight bit of play in order to get the cotter pin in. If I tighten to the next notch, then the wheel won't turn (at all). There's fresh grease and lots of it, and the bearings are packed.

I don't like play in a front wheel bearing, an easy fix would be to cut a new slot in the castle nut so I can eliminate that free play; BUT is that freeplay needed (or not harmful) with these OEM roller bearings?

Thanks!
NC3800

Most spindles have two cotter pin holes in them, 90 degrees apart. The 6-slot castle nut only has to be turned less than one flat to align a slot with one hole or the other. It won't hurt to drill another cotter pin hole in the spindle, if yours only has one hole.
Jerry

Well now I never even thought to look for a second hole - could solve the problem right there.

I take that to mean my first instinct is right though, there should be no free play in that bearing?

Thanks for that tip!

I prefer to put a slight preload on a roller bearing, particularly if disc brakes are involved. About 40 years ago when disc brakes were the new kid on the block, I attended a seminar by a brake lathe manufacturer on eliminating shudder and chatter on disc brakes. They claimed that any free play in a wheel bearing could cause chatter and vibration during braking. Applying 5-6 ft/lbs. of torque to the spindle nut would eliminate the problem. Drum brakes are a little more forgiving of slack in a wheel bearing.
Jerry

Thank you sir; makes sense! All good information there and I appreciate it.

48-51 Shop Manual Part 1

part 2

There it is! Thanks!

FYI as an update, using that 90 degree hole solved the problem. Got it excatly where it needed to be.

Thanks very much.

NC3800

"I love it when a plan comes together!"
LOL!
Jerry

Like I always say, Do it right the first time or do it my way.

Ha ha ha ha ha well, "the plan definitely came together" anyway! Need a Hannibal cigar emoticon