Wheel Bearing Adjustment

Wheel Bearing Adjustment

Preliminary Inspection

Important: 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

Tools Required
^ J2222-C Wheel Bearing Nut Wrench

1. Raise the vehicle.
2. Remove the axle shaft.





3. Remove the hub adjuster nut retaining ring.





4. Remove the adjuster nut lock key.






Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

5. Tighten the wheel bearing adjusting nut using the J2222-C.
Rotate the hub in the opposite direction to the way the adjuster nut is turning.
Ensure the inner bearing and the seal seats against the spindle shoulder.
Tighten the adjusting nut to 70 Nm (52 ft. lbs.).
6. Turn the adjusting nut counterclockwise until the nut is loose using the J2222-C.
7. Turn the adjusting nut clockwise until the nut contacts the bearing cone. Torque on the nut must be zero to finger tight.





8. 21nsert the adjusting nut lock key into the keyway using one of the following procedures:
^ If the adjusting nut slot is in alignment with the keyway in the axle spindle, insert the adjusting nut lock key into the keyway in the axle spindle.






Important: Do not turn the adjusting nut more than one slot counterclockwise in order to align the adjusting nut slot with the keyway in the axle spindle.
^ If the adjusting nut slot is not aligned with the keyway in the axle spindle, turn the adjusting nut counterclockwise until the adjusting nut slot is in alignment with the keyway in the axle spindle and insert the adjusting nut lock key.

9. Install the retaining ring.
10. Install the axle shaft.
11. Inspect the lubricant level and add, if necessary.
12. Lower the vehicle.