Re: Had this problem before, 49 Custom 8 won't go into gear

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2014/11/24 14:11:55

Adjusting front wheel bearings is a "just so" story, too loose or too tight will result in bearing failure, maybe damage to the spindle as well.

In 1955 Packard published a torque wrench method in the Service Counselors, and later published a correction to it. Here's their corrected method and I see no reason why the method doesn't apply to earlier models:

1. Tighten the nut to 20 ft-lbs (to insure the bearing is seated).
2. Back off the nut until loose.
3. Tighten the nut to 4 ft-lbs.
4. Back off 1 full hex and then further to the first cotter hole.


That method aside, most everyone that does this job routinely without a torque wrench has their own pet method and others may well post theirs. The way I do it is to first tighten the nut securely to make sure the bearing is seated, and then back off until loose. I then tighten it with my fingers as tight and snug as I can get it and back off until there is just the very slightest, almost inmperceptible, amount of free play.