Wheel Bearings

[David Gilfoyle]

Hi Guys, I am a keen DIY have a go mechanic and as wondering if you could help me with a wheel bearing question. The bearing in question is a Ford Fiesta rear hub. On re-assembly of the bearing the Haynes book says to tighten the hub nut to 173 lbf ft or 235 Nm. My torque wrench will not go that high but I have seen other people on you tube who seem to just tighten with a big bar and seem to guess. Any thoughts or advice on this? May be tighten the nut to top range of my wrench 210 Nm and then just give it a little more with a big bar? Also it says this hub nut is laminated and should be replaced every time, would you agree with this? Thanks.

Topic

[college man]

I would use this as an excuse to buy bigger torque wrench.
Nobody to barrow from?

[Ingvar]

well….. use new nut. won’t hurt. it’s ford, you never know. also, Ford owners say to toss that “garbage” nut and replace it with a better one:

http://forums.focaljet.com/focus-road-racing/614798-axle-nut-backing-off.html

as of the torque. have Home Depot or Ace around? or Lowe’s? simply rent electrical impact wrench or high torque one. what’s the point in buying a wrench to be used once in maybe 5 years?

[Kenneth]

Rent a larger torque wrench, from an auto parts store, such as autozone’s loan a tool.

[Lorrin Barth]

All the fasteners with big torque numbers I hit a good shot with my half inch air wrench and call it good. I’ve never had a problem.

[Andrew Webb]

I would purchase/rent a good 1/2 inch drive torque wrench. You won’t regret it. I own a Kobalt and it has served me well.

It also never hurts to use a new hub nut.

[Andrew]

Next time, buy a hub nut with the bearing whike you’re in the shop. Note that good wheel bearing kits come with a new nut as standard.

Regarding the torque, I agree with barneyb – a good heave on a 2-3 foot breaker bar or metal tubing and you’ll be fine.

[Dave]

Wheel bearings I don’t take chances with proper torque is important here, too tight and the bearing will wear out a lot sooner plus the added strain on the axle and other related parts. Too loose and the bearing can come apart.

[Author]

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