Yet another front wheel bearing adjustment question
12-03-2011, 11:34 AM
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Yet another front wheel bearing adjustment question
Hey all,
I have an 86 944 Turbo. I replaced the front wheel bearings on both sides since my mechanic wanted $400 to do so. But I just don't have the feel for the bearing adjustment.
I've read about 50 posts and clarks garage and everyone talks about 'turning the thrust washer'. Behind my locking nut, I have a 'washer' but it's keyed. It doesn't "spin" like clarks-garage mentions. It's tang fits in to the groove on the spindle.
I suppose it will wiggle a little if I try to wriggle it with a screwdriver, but I'm a pretty big guy and I worry I can move the washer without prying on anything and make these things over tight.
Its also about 40 degrees outside here and I'm wondering if that will affect my adjustment?
Should there be ANY wobble or play in the wheels when I'm done or not? If I spin the hub by hand, how soon should it stop? Should it stop spinning as soon as I let go, or go another 1/8th, 1/4, 1/2 turn?
Any help greatly appreciated, I'm very confused.
I have an 86 944 Turbo. I replaced the front wheel bearings on both sides since my mechanic wanted $400 to do so. But I just don't have the feel for the bearing adjustment.
I've read about 50 posts and clarks garage and everyone talks about 'turning the thrust washer'. Behind my locking nut, I have a 'washer' but it's keyed. It doesn't "spin" like clarks-garage mentions. It's tang fits in to the groove on the spindle.
I suppose it will wiggle a little if I try to wriggle it with a screwdriver, but I'm a pretty big guy and I worry I can move the washer without prying on anything and make these things over tight.
Its also about 40 degrees outside here and I'm wondering if that will affect my adjustment?
Should there be ANY wobble or play in the wheels when I'm done or not? If I spin the hub by hand, how soon should it stop? Should it stop spinning as soon as I let go, or go another 1/8th, 1/4, 1/2 turn?
Any help greatly appreciated, I'm very confused.
12-03-2011, 12:48 PM
#2
Nordschleife Master
This is the way I do it.
1. Tighten hub nut as tight as you can get it.
2. Loosen the hub nut 1/4 turn.
3. Spin the wheel.
4. Place flat blade screwdriver on side of washer.
5. If you can move the washer by hand and without leveraging against anything your good. Otherwise repeat from "2".
The washer is pegged but it will move a little when you apply hand force using the flat blade screwdriver.
Your wheels should spin smoothly with no noise, how long they spin depends on the force you use to spin them.
1. Tighten hub nut as tight as you can get it.
2. Loosen the hub nut 1/4 turn.
3. Spin the wheel.
4. Place flat blade screwdriver on side of washer.
5. If you can move the washer by hand and without leveraging against anything your good. Otherwise repeat from "2".
The washer is pegged but it will move a little when you apply hand force using the flat blade screwdriver.
Your wheels should spin smoothly with no noise, how long they spin depends on the force you use to spin them.
12-03-2011, 07:58 PM
#6
Nordschleife Master
This is the way I do it.
1. Tighten hub nut as tight as you can get it.
2. Loosen the hub nut 1/4 turn.
3. Spin the wheel.
4. Place flat blade screwdriver on side of washer.
5. If you can move the washer by hand and without leveraging against anything your good. Otherwise repeat from "2".
The washer is pegged but it will move a little when you apply hand force using the flat blade screwdriver.
Your wheels should spin smoothly with no noise, how long they spin depends on the force you use to spin them.
1. Tighten hub nut as tight as you can get it.
2. Loosen the hub nut 1/4 turn.
3. Spin the wheel.
4. Place flat blade screwdriver on side of washer.
5. If you can move the washer by hand and without leveraging against anything your good. Otherwise repeat from "2".
The washer is pegged but it will move a little when you apply hand force using the flat blade screwdriver.
Your wheels should spin smoothly with no noise, how long they spin depends on the force you use to spin them.
Tighten as tight as you can get it with channel locks (estimate 25-30ft lbs), to seat the bearing, then loosen it 1/4 turn. I then tighten it to 2 finger tight (just barely snug). The test is the washer. You should be able to move it without much effort, but it shouldn't be loose either.
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12-04-2011, 06:37 PM
#8
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Location: Asheboro, NC USA
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"Tighten as tight as you can get it with channel locks (estimate 25-30ft lbs), to seat the bearing"
It doesn't require that much force to seat the bearings. In fact there is a possiblity that 25-30 lb. ft.of torque can damage your bearings. Assuming your races are seated the only seating required is justenough force to go through the wheel bearing grease. Most manufacrurers recommend around 50 inch lb of pre load to seat the bearings. Notice I said inch # or a little over 4 lb. ft.
I only preload or seat bearings until the hub becomes slightly more difficult to turn and then back off to get the final setting. In the 944 bearings I guess that would be enough to allow the washer to move by very slight pressure.
No experience with Porsche bearings but they are basic bearings that are similer to the bearings used on millions of rear wheel drive vehicles. You are looking for the same results, Millions of vehicles use castle nuts and split pins to retain their hubs. Porsche uses a clamping nut that would probably be difficult to locate in a small city on a Saturday afternoon in event you screw up the nut.
Clifton
It doesn't require that much force to seat the bearings. In fact there is a possiblity that 25-30 lb. ft.of torque can damage your bearings. Assuming your races are seated the only seating required is justenough force to go through the wheel bearing grease. Most manufacrurers recommend around 50 inch lb of pre load to seat the bearings. Notice I said inch # or a little over 4 lb. ft.
I only preload or seat bearings until the hub becomes slightly more difficult to turn and then back off to get the final setting. In the 944 bearings I guess that would be enough to allow the washer to move by very slight pressure.
No experience with Porsche bearings but they are basic bearings that are similer to the bearings used on millions of rear wheel drive vehicles. You are looking for the same results, Millions of vehicles use castle nuts and split pins to retain their hubs. Porsche uses a clamping nut that would probably be difficult to locate in a small city on a Saturday afternoon in event you screw up the nut.
Clifton
