Bearing packing drama

Lynnmor wrote:

Walaby wrote:
Given the choice of a tiny turn more than finger tight, or a loosening, I have always leaned toward a tiny turn tighter. Yes, if you over tighten, you will increase risk of overheating the bearing, but to tighten essentially the width of one "castle" on the castle nut past finger tight would be just fine and would be a lot better than the bearing being slightly loose.

Mike

Bad information, slightly loose is what you want.

Interesting.., and not trying to argue. I was an auto mechanic for double digit years, and have restored multiple automobiles in my 35 years of adulthood, and haven't had bearing failures.

The slight difference of turning the castle nut, less than one castle to line up is easily accomplished within the different tolerances of finger tight. What is finger tight to you is likely different than finger tight to me. Im not saying tighten further with a wrench or anything.

What is slightly loose to you will be different than slightly loose to me as well. After all, most castle nuts I've seen are maybe a 1/4 inch between the grooves between the peaks. So, you're talking about an 1/8 inch difference of opinion.

Whichever groove is closer is what I will typically do. If backing it off is closer than a little more hand tightening, then I back off.

I shouldn't have said tightening the width of a castle, because that would mean the hole for the cotter pin was accessable and I tightened a good bit more. If the castle peak is centered on the hole where the cotter pin goes in, back it off. But, I won't run them if I've had to back them off so far that there is movement when moving the hub.

Mike