Replacing front wheel bearings ???
Supporter
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 32
From: Ft.Worth, Texas
How does the torque value of the axle nut have anything to do with the bearing end play ? If the correct spacers are used and the end play is already correct, I dont see how the torque on either the front or rear axle nut can make a difference. I must be missing something. Can someone explain it to me? Thanks
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,143
Likes: 12,706
From: South Carolina
How does the torque value of the axle nut have anything to do with the bearing end play ? If the correct spacers are used and the end play is already correct, I dont see how the torque on either the front or rear axle nut can make a difference. I must be missing something. Can someone explain it to me? Thanks
The end play will not be correct until the nut is tightened and the inner races, inner spacers, and outer spacers are drawn together.
But the nut must not be torqued too tight, or it will deform (crush) the inner spacer, but it would take a huge grunt on the wrench to do that....
Using the correct torque spec is critical with the axle nut. On my last bike (FXSTC) I misread the manual, and used the torque spec listed for and FXSTS which was only 10 ft lbs more than the FXSTC, and I could definitely tell that something was wrong. I could hear the bearings when riding the bike. When I re-torqued it using the correct torque number it was fine. That's one nut that you don't want to "just tighten" without a torque wrench.
The only way you could change the end play by increasing torque would be to over torque to the point of crushing the inner spacer, and if you did that, loosening the nut would not cure the problem.
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Jun 11, 2016 at 02:34 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 234
Likes: 15
From: Southern California
We are talking about tapered bearings here:
The end play will not be correct until the nut is tightened and the inner races, inner spacers, and outer spacers are drawn together.
But the nut must not be torqued too tight, or it will deform (crush) the inner spacer, but it would take a huge grunt on the wrench to do that....
I`m having a tough time with this explanation. When you torque the axle nut, it draws the races and spacers together, and a 10 pound increase will not affect the end play (unless the inner spacer is damaged).
The only way you could change the end play by increasing torque would be to over torque to the point of crushing the inner spacer, and if you did that, loosening the nut would not cure the problem.
The end play will not be correct until the nut is tightened and the inner races, inner spacers, and outer spacers are drawn together.
But the nut must not be torqued too tight, or it will deform (crush) the inner spacer, but it would take a huge grunt on the wrench to do that....
I`m having a tough time with this explanation. When you torque the axle nut, it draws the races and spacers together, and a 10 pound increase will not affect the end play (unless the inner spacer is damaged).
The only way you could change the end play by increasing torque would be to over torque to the point of crushing the inner spacer, and if you did that, loosening the nut would not cure the problem.
Hey, I'm not an expert by any means. All I know is that when I over torqued the axle nut by 10lbs, I could hear it, while riding down the road. When I re-torqued it correctly, it went away, and I had no further issues.
Supporter
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 32
From: Ft.Worth, Texas
We are talking about tapered bearings here:
The end play will not be correct until the nut is tightened and the inner races, inner spacers, and outer spacers are drawn together.
But the nut must not be torqued too tight, or it will deform (crush) the inner spacer, but it would take a huge grunt on the wrench to do that....
I`m having a tough time with this explanation. When you torque the axle nut, it draws the races and spacers together, and a 10 pound increase will not affect the end play (unless the inner spacer is damaged).
The only way you could change the end play by increasing torque would be to over torque to the point of crushing the inner spacer, and if you did that, loosening the nut would not cure the problem.
The end play will not be correct until the nut is tightened and the inner races, inner spacers, and outer spacers are drawn together.
But the nut must not be torqued too tight, or it will deform (crush) the inner spacer, but it would take a huge grunt on the wrench to do that....
I`m having a tough time with this explanation. When you torque the axle nut, it draws the races and spacers together, and a 10 pound increase will not affect the end play (unless the inner spacer is damaged).
The only way you could change the end play by increasing torque would be to over torque to the point of crushing the inner spacer, and if you did that, loosening the nut would not cure the problem.
On your wheel with THAT set of bearings in THAT particular circumstance, you were able to exceed the spec and "get away with it." But, again, how far is too far?
How does the torque value of the axle nut have anything to do with the bearing end play ? If the correct spacers are used and the end play is already correct, I dont see how the torque on either the front or rear axle nut can make a difference. I must be missing something. Can someone explain it to me? Thanks
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire
well I ended up taking my bike to an indy that I have used before. He pulled the old races and installed the new ones.
Also thank you very much for that link to the video. That filled in the few things that I had questions on.
All back together and with a new tire.
Life is good. now ready for bike week - Laconia NH
thanks for everyones help
Also thank you very much for that link to the video. That filled in the few things that I had questions on.
All back together and with a new tire.
Life is good. now ready for bike week - Laconia NH
thanks for everyones help
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,504
Likes: 150
From: ct
Races only NEED to be replaced if the bearing ran dry and got cooked up.. then there will be noticeable damage, yours are fairly new and not scored.... they are fine.
Oops I'm a little late here... skipped Laconia this year, always a good time, BE safe.
Oops I'm a little late here... skipped Laconia this year, always a good time, BE safe.
Last edited by glidein wide; Jun 12, 2016 at 08:18 PM.
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