rear axel nut torque?

[JohnEd]

I have been to the library, searched every "Motors and Chilton" in the place and I cannot find the info.  I am finishing putting together the rear wheels on a 73 Winnie built on a Dodge RM400 chassis.  The rear end is a Spicer/Dana 70 HD with positraction and has a full floating ax.  Did the seals and bearings but can't find the torque or procedure.

I have called every shop in the area and the best I came up with was: 1) tighten the nut REAL tight to make sure the bearings are seated and then loosen.  2)  snug down the nut by hand tightening with a socket.  3)  Attach the breaker bar and give it a TWEEK tighter.  Caution: "don't get it too tight or it will heat up".    I swear!

Somebody out there must have better info for me.  Why is this data HIDDEN?  at least to me.  Help!

Thanks,

John

[luvrbus]

JohnEd, all tapered hub bearing need clearance of .005 to .0010 tighten till it binds while rotating then back it off.I checked my Dana 70 book for you and they stop at the hubs and say reference the owners guide   good luck

[stevet903]

Here is a link to the Meritor torque settings.

http://www.meritorhvs.com/MeritorHVS_Documents/tp89159.pdf

I did my drive and tag axles today using these values (89 Prevost XL).  Do it a couple of times and you will  get the "feel" of the adjustment.  The wheel will either not turn or will bind severely at the initial torque.  At the adjusting torque, the wheel will turn, but will drag.  Once you back-off recommended amount, the wheel will spin freely with no binding or dragging.  (you need to have the brakes backed off to feel this!)  On mine, the adjusting nut ended up being slightly more than hand tight.

Hope this helps
Steve

[dvrasor]

 

I would set them @ .001 to .005. freeplay
  Dave Rasor 4104-2375

[gus]

John,

My '94 Dodge one ton manual says;

1. Tighten to 120-140 lb-ft while turning wheel.
2. Back off 1/8-1/3 turn to provide 0.001" - 0.010" wheel bearing end play.

This is the same for 60, 70 and 80 axles. My one ton is a 70.

This is pretty much standard procedure for any medium duty vehicles I've ever worked on.

Hand tight is probably not tight enough. I wouldn't feel comfortable with that. A lot of it is feel.

As already posted, if it rotates easily after the original set it is probably ok.

[JohnEd]

Thank you all very much.  Never heard of meritor but know that I won't forget it....bookmarked!

I have the dial indicator and measuring stand so 1 thousandth it will be.

And again, thanks

John

[JohnEd]

OK, I did this using the turn till tight and back off and hand tighten gripping that huge socket.  Then I gave it barely 1/8 turn.  The torque gods were with me for sure.  The first one had 3 thousandths of end play according to the dial indicator and the second had 9 thousandths.  Home FREE!

Thank you ALL for the advice and good wishes.  You get most of the credit on this one.

Thanks again,

John