3,500 pound Dexter axle bearing pre-load?
I'm putting a new drum-brake system on a single-axle cargo trailer. It has a torsion suspension. I have the components ready to go and one of the old, non-brake assemblies removed. It occurred to me, ...
Forum Discussion
Lynnmor wrote:
Using a torque wrench to tighten the nut to 50 ft. lbs. is only required if the bearing races were replaced. Following the instructions will cover all situations. Hand tightening with Channelocks is fine if parts were not replaced.
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Wrong again, this will result in a pre-load condition.
Wrong? Then Dexter's instructions are wrong. Take it up with the factory! The bearings are supposed to be preloaded btw.
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Yes, the Dexter instructions are WRONG !
Torqueing to 50 ft lbs, then backing off 1 notch will more than likely cause a preload condition !
All Lynnmor's Posts here are spot on correct.
Who am I ?
Just an ex student of General Motor Training Center, San Leandro, CA back in the 60's when the change was made from ball bearings to tapered roller bearings in all front wheels. Nothing has changed w/ front wheel bearings since that time.
BTW, the slight amount of bearing end play is for grease clearance, more so than heat expansion. If there is no space for grease, such as in a preload condition, a bearing is proned to a shorter life. The only bearing that calls for a preload, is one that is running in oil, such as rear axle pinion bearings.
