Just fitted a set of tapered rear wheel bearings and was wondering, how tight do you do up the hub nut? I've been told that they should be done up tight then backed off about one castelation on the nut. Does this sound about right? Any help would be great. Thanks, Frank.

The book says 60 ft-lb and then align to the next split-pin hole (i.e. don't back off). But since the rear stub axles are fixed and don't transmit any torque, some people just do them up tight-ish and fit the pin.

Personally, after going through several sets of tapered bearings by not setting the preload correctly, I now make sure the preload is correct and torque up as per the book.

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Simon

The adventures of an owner builder in the Tallarook Ranges

No do them up tight to the next castelation. You really need a torque wrench as how tight is tight? It's not something you want to get wrong...

60ft/lbs is what you need to do them up to, that is pretty tight.

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

There`s 2 ways to set tapered rear wheel brgs

with the center spacer

or without

With the spacer you tighten the nut up tight & to the next castelation for the split pin,, BUT!!!! that is only """"IF""" the spacer is the correct thickness---> too thin & you will over load the pre-load & pre-mature wear is imminent,,, too wide & wear is also pre-mature because they are running loose,,, so the thickness of the spacer is crucial

if running without the spacer then nip the bearing up till the brg is "Firm-ish) & then back it off a tad till it turns free but with no play,,, slip the split pin in & you`re away,,,, as per Holden front wheel brgs

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No offence intended here but--> anyone writing a book about minis 30 years ago may not have experienced such worn or stuffed-with components as we are finding these days.

You should put your heart & soul into everything you do.

With the latest tapered rollers that have half a spacer on each bearing, the pre-load is too high. I put a single 0.005" shim between them and it's right then.

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So basically avoid Minis then...?

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.... and I presume you are already aware the LEFT side nut has an opposite thread direction to normal just to confuse matters.....

(eg instead of lefty loosey and righty tighty * - left is tighten and right loosen)

(though when I came to service my race mini found that it had been modified and fitted with a right hand axle stub so was "normal" took a while to realise )


* (learnt that at Circ de Solei )