Axle Nut Torque

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Bdeal223
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Axle Nut Torque

Post by Bdeal223 »

I have another question, I put brand new DTA half shafts in and torque the spindle nut to the 137 ft/lbs and now the front hubs will not turn. Anyone one know what would cause this? I have back them off considerably to get the bearings free enough to turn.
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Re: Axle Nut Torque

Post by Ridlbox »

Bearings could be shot due to old worn shafts, when you had it apart did you check that.
Also check to make sure that the shafts are inserted fully into yolk, distance between shafts should be (7.625) inches
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Bdeal223
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Re: Axle Nut Torque

Post by Bdeal223 »

Ridlbox, yes checked the bearings when I had it apart, both sides looked/felt great. And both shafts are definantly fully inserted. This kind of baffles me, I do not want to cook the bearings by trying to drive with them locked up like that.
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ARCHINSTL
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Re: Axle Nut Torque

Post by ARCHINSTL »

Just in case...when I first installed my GSP axles (also now sold under various names), I encountered something possibly similar.
The flingers on the end of the axle bottomed against the knuckle. See viewtopic.php?f=4&t=3283&p=25075&hilit=GSP#p25075
Also viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3802&hilit=GSP
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dlb
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Re: Axle Nut Torque

Post by dlb »

Bdeal223 wrote:I have another question, I put brand new DTA half shafts in and torque the spindle nut to the 137 ft/lbs and now the front hubs will not turn.
make sure the transmission is in neutral. also make sure you do not have the park brake applied while in 4wd.
Bdeal223
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Re: Axle Nut Torque

Post by Bdeal223 »

ARCHINSTL, I did not even think about the dust covers, that does make the most sense, the tighter I torque that axle nut down the harder the hub is to turn. I will check this when I get home today. Thank you!
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Re: Axle Nut Torque

Post by xirdneh »

looking at a front wheel bearing in hand I do not see any way the tightening of the axle nut could affect the bearing, whether new or worn.
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Petros
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Re: Axle Nut Torque

Post by Petros »

you will not change the bearings by torquing down the axle nut as Xirdneh points out, likely the dust cover, and there have been some brands of axles that the spline was too tight or some other part of the stub axle is the wrong size and binds. If you take it out, measure and compare it with the old one.

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Re: Axle Nut Torque

Post by marlinh »

Agree with Archinstl. Those dust covers will bind when you torque the axle nut. Compare with the one you removed.
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