Front bearing torque '63 Plymouth.

[Ratroaster]

Hi again. Anyone have any tips on torque settings for the hub/ front wheel bearings on a '63 Plymouth. The manual says 90 in/lbs of torque. But boy, that seems like an awfully tight setting to me.
Thank you.

 

[miller]

If I remember right, should just be timken bearings, both inner and outer. Actually, 90 INCH pounds isn't that much, guessing probably to get past the grease packing, and take out any slack.

I usually tighten the nut, while turning the wheel by hand, until it bottoms out...then loosen until one of the castle nut slots line up with a hole, and drop the pin in place. Should be good to go.

 

[coloradodave]

What Miller said. Has worked for me for 50+ years.

 

[383man]

Yes I agree with Miller. Some books even tell you to spin the wheel while turning the nut tight with channel locks or an adjustable wrench and tighten it snug while turning the wheel. Then back it off a half to 3/4 turn and then tighten it by hand as tight as you can also while spinning the wheel. That works out to about the same as the way Miller says as I have done it both ways. Basically you dont want to overtighten that type of bearing and they actually call for a small amout of play like about .003 to .005 clearance. Ron

 

[63belvedere(AMN)]

Hold on let me check in the great book of awsomeness, says anywhere between 75 to 90, all B-Body cars from 62 to 65 use the same bearings so just torque it and adjust from there to fit the pin.

 

[threewood]

As above. Never put a torque wrench to them. Adjust by feel and never had an issue.

 

[khryslerkid]

I always did the, tighten it up then back it off to the first castle nut hole, for years, without any problems too.

Then one day I heard about this torque setting on these bearings. Well I tried it and you get a different setting on the nut doing it this way. I torqued the castle nut to the required setting, then backed it off, and then ran it back up to the closest castle nut hole. I'm guessing it seats the bearing in the races better than just tightening them by hand.

 

[miller]

Lol! Depends on who's hand!

 

[khryslerkid]

Lol! Depends on who's hand!

Try the torque method just once and let me know what you think...

 

[miller]

Hehe...my wrist clicks just right.

 

[Cranky]

90 'inch' pounds.....you're not thinking foot pounds are ya? I've never used a torque wrench either.

 

[khryslerkid]

Nope, 90 in. lbs. converts to 7.5 ft. lbs. About what a big guy with a pair of channel locks would get.

My wrist doesn't always click but my shoulder sure does, and creaks and pops!

 

[Cranky]

Nope, 90 in. lbs. converts to 7.5 ft. lbs. About what a big guy with a pair of channel locks would get.

My wrist doesn't always click but my shoulder sure does, and creaks and pops!

My post was more directed at the OP since he said it seemed to be an awfully tight setting....I suppose I could have used the quote reply button to avoid cornfusion.

 

[khryslerkid]

I'm thinking we got through. Have to watch for those "inch lbs." specs.
Just like a ruler, 12 inch pounds = 1 ft. pound.

 

[Cranky]

I'm thinking we got through. Have to watch for those "inch lbs." specs.
Just like a ruler, 12 inch pounds = 1 ft. pound.

Man, and I thought it was how far a an inch could travel in a pound!

 

[miller]

Oh, man.....