Bearing preload question (1 Viewer)

[Buckru]

I attempted to do the birf job this past weekend. It only took me 22 hours to do one side . My question is this: if the bearing preload is too high, how do you reduce it? The same goes for the steering preload.
Thanks to all who responded in my time of need.

Buck

 

[mabrodis]

Are you talking about wheel bearing preload? To reduce it wouldn't you just loosen the hubnut some? That's what I would do. As for the steering preload (aka knuckle preload) there are shims under the large pin pieces which determine how much force (well distance, not force) is put on the knuckle bearings. 22 hours...wow, that's a long time, don't remember how long it took me, I did both in a weekend by myself. Definetly alot of work though.

Good Luck!

 

[97 FZJ80]

14 hours for one side. Still waiting for a free weekend to tackle the other side!

 

[landtank]

I'm thinking you are using a Synthetic grease and it's a little cold outside. If so the preload really doesn't work as when that prceedure was rwritten it was for Dino grease which is thinniner and gives different readings.

On the steering arm just reassemble as it came apart.

On the wheel bearing torque to 10 FtLbs while spinning the hub.

It's not in the book but will work just fine and it's what I do.

 

[Beowulf]

My question is this: if the bearing preload is too high, how do you reduce it?

Just a guess.... did you final torque the inner hub nut to 47 ft/lbs or did you notice the final spec is inch/lbs. Many have made that mistake.

Use Rick's method.

-B-

 

[cruiserman]

Add shims to the knuckle to reduce kingpin bearing preload.

 

[Buckru]

I used regular bearing grease for the inner and outer bearings. It may have been the fact that it was a bit cold and the grease was stiff.
22 hours was along time to do one side. I must admit that I'm not the most mechanically inclined person and this is BY FAR the biggest job I've tackled on a vehicle. Heck, this is the first vehicle i have had a desire to work on myself. Most of the maintenance I do will probably take longer than most but, I can read a manual, turn a wrench, and ask questions here. Thanks again,

Buck