Wheel Bearing Adjustment
Wheel Bearing Adjustment
Preliminary Inspection
Note: The preceding information is a General Inspection Procedure. If there are hub seal leaks, brake related noise, vibration or wear issues, the wheel bearing end play should be measured to ensure it is within the acceptable range as noted below.
Note: Ensure the brakes are fully released and do not drag.
Pull or push the tire at the top back and forth in order to test the wheel bearing play.
* Use a pry bar under the tire as an alternative.
* If the wheel bearing adjustment is correct, the movement will be barely noticeable.
* If the movement is excessive, adjust the bearings.
Adjustment Procedure
Note: There are two different style of wheel bearing nut wrenches to match the different style of adjusting nuts and they are NOT interchangeable. Use the correct wrench when adjusting the wheel bearing.
Special Tools
* CH 49794 - Wheel Bearing Nut Wrench
* CH 50636 - Wheel Bearing Nut Wrench
For equivalent regional tools, refer to Special Tools Rear Drive Axle.
1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle Service and Repair.
2. Remove the axle shaft. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft and/or Gasket Replacement Rear Axle Shaft and/or Gasket Replacement.
3. Remove the adjuster nut retainer (1).
4. Remove the adjuster nut lock key (1).
Note: If the wheel hub assembly DOES NOT fully seat itself onto the axle shaft and is removed, the wheel hub seal must be replaced.
Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution Fastener Caution.
5. Using the CH 49794 - wrenchor the CH 50636 - wrench (1), tighten the wheel bearing adjusting nut:
* Rotate the hub in the opposite direction to the way the adjuster nut is turning.
* Ensure that the inner bearing and the seal are completely seated against the axle shoulder.
* Tighten the adjusting nut to 70 Nm (52 lb ft).
6. Using the CH 49794 - wrenchor the CH 50636 - wrench (1), turn the adjusting nut counterclockwise until the nut is loose.
Note: Torque on the nut must be zero to finger tight.
7. Turn the adjusting nut clockwise until the nut contacts the bearing cone.
8. Install the rear wheel bearing adjusting nut key (1).
Note: Do not turn the adjusting nut more than one slot counterclockwise to align the adjusting nut slot with the keyway in the axle.
9. If the rear wheel bearing adjusting nut key (1) can not be installed, turn the rear wheel bearing adjusting nut (1) counterclockwise until the rear wheel bearing adjusting nut (1) and the keyway in the axle are aligned.
10. Install the adjuster nut retainer (1).
Note: A magnetic dial indicator base can be mounted on the end of the axle spindle tube and still allow the hub to rotate. A dial indicator can be positioned against the face of the axle shaft mounting flange on the rear wheel hub. The indicator probe must be positioned perpendicular (i.e. 90 degrees to the hub face) to obtain accurate readings. Alternately, the dial indicator magnetic base can be mounted on the axle shaft mounting flange of the rear wheel hub and the dial indicator probe can be positioned against the end of the axle spindle tube. Either way is acceptable and both methods can be used to measure hub endplay. When pushing and pulling axially on the hub to measure the endplay, it is helpful if the hub is rotated several degrees clockwise and counterclockwise to ensure that the bearings are being properly seated and seal friction is minimized. It is necessary to provide a relatively high amount of force, by hand, to the hub when pushing and pulling to ensure that the load on the hub overcomes the effects of the weight of the hub and the friction in the inner bearing seal. Rocking the hub using a pry bar does not properly load the hub and provides an inaccurate reading of endplay. The dial indicator base and indictor probe must be positioned as close to the centerline of the rear axle spindle and hub as possible to minimize any effects caused by tilting of the hub when pushing or pulling axially on the hub to ontain measurements.
11. Use appropriate tool setup to measure hub endplay. Bearing should be adjusted for clearance between 0.025 - 0.25 mm (0.001 - 0.10 in).
12. Install the rear axle shaft. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft and/or Gasket Replacement Rear Axle Shaft and/or Gasket Replacement.
13. Inspect the lubricant level and add, if necessary. Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Level Inspection (11.5 Inch Axle) Rear Axle Lubricant Level Inspection (11.5 Inch Axle)Rear Axle Lubricant Level Inspection (8.6, 9.5 LD Axle) Rear Axle Lubricant Level Inspection (8.6, 9.5 LD Axle)Rear Axle Lubricant Level Inspection (10.5 Inch Axle) Rear Axle Lubricant Level Inspection (10.5 Inch Axle).
14. Lower the vehicle.