Bearing preload?

[PAFJ]

I'm getting ready to do knuckle rebuild. I've been researching and getting as much info. as I can. One thing I'm unclear on is, what are you doing when checking bearing preload? Little confused on why and how this is done.

Sorry if this has been covered..

TIA-

 

[Mr. Toad]

Why? So that your bearings are properly adjusted and do not wear prematurely. Safety issues too, like avoiding death wobble in the steering. You'll have to pre-load the trunion (knuckle) bearings with shims and do the wheel bearings with nut tension.

For how, check the search function. I know that I've posted the FSM instruction pages before, as have others.

Good luck, and bring lots of rags.

 

[PAFJ]

Why? So that your bearings are properly adjusted and do not wear prematurely. Safety issues too, like avoiding death wobble in the steering. You'll have to pre-load the trunion (knuckle) bearings with shims and do the wheel bearings with nut tension.

For how, check the search function. I know that I've posted the FSM instruction pages before, as have others.

Good luck, and bring lots of rags.

Thanks...I'll search some more. I was reading through the manual, it still doesn't make any sense. I think this might be way above my skill level. Also, I noticed the manual called for the need to use all the different SST, are they necessary?

TIA-

 

[IH8Wood]

It's not as bad as it sounds. I followed the instructions from this link.

 

[IH8Wood]

arrghhh, here's the link:
http://www.birfield.com/~morgan/tech/axle/index.html

 

[PAFJ]

arrghhh, here's the link:
http://www.birfield.com/~morgan/tech/axle/index.html

This is wonderful!! Very helpful link, thanks.

 

[Ryan S.]

Thanks...I'll search some more. I was reading through the manual, it still doesn't make any sense. I think this might be way above my skill level. Also, I noticed the manual called for the need to use all the different SST, are they necessary?

TIA-

All the SST's not necessary. Many here agree that you will be just fine as long as you put the shims back in the spot they came from, making the centering SST unnecessary. A seal driving kit is helpful, about $30 at a parts store. Harbor freight sells a decent seal puller for cheap.

 

[Mr. Toad]

Thanks... I think this might be way above my skill level. Also, I noticed the manual called for the need to use all the different SST, are they necessary?

Skill level: You can do this. Believe me. If you can follow a recipe to make a bar-b-que marinade, you can rebuild your knuckles.
SSTs: Unless you're changing the knuckle or the axle housing (it sounds like you're doing neither), then you should be able to skip the SSTs in the way Ryan S. suggested.