The Ford Barn

oldspert · 08-12-2023, 10:48 PM

I checked the front wheel bearings on my 29 today. The roller bearings are like new but the nuts were very tight. I have been taught, on newer cars, to tighten the nut finger tight and back off one cotter pin space. Is this correct for Model A? Seems like there is no space for the grease if the nuts are tightened too much.

Bob Bidonde · 08-13-2023, 07:28 AM

The "A" era factory technique is to tighten the nut until the bearing binds, then back-off the nut one or two notches until the bearing spins freely. Install the cotter pin.

Rob Doe · 08-13-2023, 07:57 AM

X2 on Mr. Bidonde's comment. I grab the wheel at 3 and 9 o'clock positions and push and pull on both sides at the same time, then alternate pushing at 3 and 9. There should be no slop in the bearing if you want the toe in and steering to work correctly.

When alternating the pushing of 3 and 9, slack in other front end components may fool you into thinking the bearing is loose. Spindle bushings, spindle shims, tie rod ends etc. Verify the source. You may need a light and a second person until you get familiar with the process.

On this forum, I have read different tips for finding a good method. I do as Bob states. But, I have never backed up two slot positions. I have a shim under one side as it was always requiring nearly a full slot position and that was too loose. As I recall my shim was made from .050 sheet metal.

When I'm done, I spin the wheel and it must revolve at least 5 times. After driving, if I raise the car and retest, it spins many times more than the original 5 but still has no slack???

No ruined or hot bearings thus far, but I'm still learning here too. Any suggestions for improvements are appreciated.

nkaminar · 08-13-2023, 09:37 AM

Bearings should not be tight but not be loose.

Patrick L. · 08-13-2023, 11:36 AM

Yep, nuts should be 'just' right. But, thats relative considering the castle nut. With the bearings packed with new grease and installed, just spin the wheel while snugging up the nut. Get the nut kinda tight, you'll get the feel of it. Then back it off usually to the next slot and slide in the cotter. Sometimes you may need to back to the second slot. But, as said, better a little too loose than too tight.

Oldgearz · 08-13-2023, 03:04 PM

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All my life I've used the large washer as a gauge. Tighten first, then loosen until you can slide the washer left and right with a screw driver. Then loosen to first cotter pin hole. I've never had a front bearing failure.

TerryO · 08-13-2023, 06:39 PM

Remember, some castle nuts have fewer slots than the original nuts..If memory serves me well I believe originals had 8 slots and a lot of replacements have 6. This may not sound like much but it makes a difference.

TOB

Synchro909 · 08-13-2023, 09:04 PM

I like the Japanese way of doing it. On the rear wheels of a front wheel drive car, they have a sheet metal cap that goes over the hex nut ( the nut is not slotted). The cap has 12 points and 6 slots around the top. The split pin goes through two of those slots in the "cap", not the nut. That gives twice as many positions for the split pin. (Every 1/12th of a turn)
I hope I explained that clearly enough.

katy · 08-14-2023, 09:20 AM

Something like this? https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...bsalmio3JAkdUV

Dodge and some other cars used that system for a while.

TerryO · 08-14-2023, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Something like this? https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...bsalmio3JAkdUV

Dodge and some other cars used that system for a while.

If my memory serves me correctly some fords used them also.

If my memory serves me correctly some fords used them also.

TOB

Patrick L. · 08-14-2023, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TerryO

If my memory serves me correctly some fords used them also.

If my memory serves me correctly some fords used them also.

TOB

Thru out the 50's-70s everyone used them, the educated nut.

Synchro909 · 08-14-2023, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katy

Something like this? https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...bsalmio3JAkdUV

Dodge and some other cars used that system for a while.

Yes, that's the type of thing I was talking about.

08-12-2023, 10:48 PM	#1
oldspert Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 227	front wheel bearings I checked the front wheel bearings on my 29 today. The roller bearings are like new but the nuts were very tight. I have been taught, on newer cars, to tighten the nut finger tight and back off one cotter pin space. Is this correct for Model A? Seems like there is no space for the grease if the nuts are tightened too much.

08-13-2023, 07:28 AM	#2
Bob Bidonde Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 3,470	Re: front wheel bearings The "A" era factory technique is to tighten the nut until the bearing binds, then back-off the nut one or two notches until the bearing spins freely. Install the cotter pin. __________________ Bob Bidonde

08-13-2023, 07:57 AM	#3
Rob Doe Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 493	Re: front wheel bearings X2 on Mr. Bidonde's comment. I grab the wheel at 3 and 9 o'clock positions and push and pull on both sides at the same time, then alternate pushing at 3 and 9. There should be no slop in the bearing if you want the toe in and steering to work correctly. When alternating the pushing of 3 and 9, slack in other front end components may fool you into thinking the bearing is loose. Spindle bushings, spindle shims, tie rod ends etc. Verify the source. You may need a light and a second person until you get familiar with the process. On this forum, I have read different tips for finding a good method. I do as Bob states. But, I have never backed up two slot positions. I have a shim under one side as it was always requiring nearly a full slot position and that was too loose. As I recall my shim was made from .050 sheet metal. When I'm done, I spin the wheel and it must revolve at least 5 times. After driving, if I raise the car and retest, it spins many times more than the original 5 but still has no slack??? No ruined or hot bearings thus far, but I'm still learning here too. Any suggestions for improvements are appreciated. __________________ "It ain't what you know for certain that gets ya in trouble. It's what ya know for certain that just ain't so!"

08-13-2023, 09:37 AM	#4
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,897	Re: front wheel bearings Bearings should not be tight but not be loose. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

08-13-2023, 11:36 AM	#5
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: front wheel bearings Yep, nuts should be 'just' right. But, thats relative considering the castle nut. With the bearings packed with new grease and installed, just spin the wheel while snugging up the nut. Get the nut kinda tight, you'll get the feel of it. Then back it off usually to the next slot and slide in the cotter. Sometimes you may need to back to the second slot. But, as said, better a little too loose than too tight.

08-13-2023, 03:04 PM	#6
Oldgearz Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Sagle, Idaho Posts: 359	Re: front wheel bearings Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) All my life I've used the large washer as a gauge. Tighten first, then loosen until you can slide the washer left and right with a screw driver. Then loosen to first cotter pin hole. I've never had a front bearing failure.

08-13-2023, 06:39 PM	#7
TerryO Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: N. GA Posts: 532	Re: front wheel bearings Remember, some castle nuts have fewer slots than the original nuts..If memory serves me well I believe originals had 8 slots and a lot of replacements have 6. This may not sound like much but it makes a difference. TOB

08-13-2023, 09:04 PM	#8
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: front wheel bearings I like the Japanese way of doing it. On the rear wheels of a front wheel drive car, they have a sheet metal cap that goes over the hex nut ( the nut is not slotted). The cap has 12 points and 6 slots around the top. The split pin goes through two of those slots in the "cap", not the nut. That gives twice as many positions for the split pin. (Every 1/12th of a turn) I hope I explained that clearly enough. __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

08-14-2023, 09:20 AM	#9
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,046	Re: front wheel bearings Something like this? https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...bsalmio3JAkdUV Dodge and some other cars used that system for a while. __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!