Introduction:

Once in a great while I’ll see a post where someone has complained about the front wheel bearings coming loose on their 1983-1997 Ford Ranger 4×4. This generally happens after someone has reinstalled the spindle lock nuts and not properly tightened them.

Here’s how to properly tighten the spindle locknuts after you’ve installed a grease packed wheelbearing in the brake rotor:

From MAKG

For manual locking hubs, inner nut to 30 ft-lbs, rotate rotor, retorque 30 ft-lbs, repeat until no change. Back off 1/4 turn. Tighten to hand-tight (I think the spec is 16 INCH-lbs). Install washer without turning inner nut. Install outer nut to 150-250 ft-lbs.

From 4x4Junkie:

The way I do mine (not a whole lot different from what MAKG posted):

  • Pack liberally with a good quality lithium-base wheelbearing grease (I use Castrol Wheelbearing Grease)
  • Assemble it and tighten the nut to 35 ft-lbs while spinning the rotor back & forth.
  • Back it off a half-turn, then retighten to 15 INCH-lbs (about what you’ll get by tightening it until snug by hand with the socket)
  • Install locking washer (flipping it over if the hole doesn’t line up, don’t move the nut)
  • Tighten the outer nut to 250ft-lbs, making sure the washer tab doesn’t slip out of the spindle groove.

Chilton Manual:

  1. install the inner locknut on the spindle and tighten it to 35 ft-lbs.
  2. Spin the brake disc (rotor) several turns in each direction to seat the bearings.
  3. Loosen the inner locknut 1/4-turn, then retighten it to 16 in-lbs.
  4. Install the lockwasher and align the locknut pin with one of the holes in the lockwasher. If necessary, turn the inner locknut slightly to align the hole and pin.
  5. Install the outer locknut and tighten to 150 ft-lbs.
  6. Lubricate the needle bearing spacer and needle bearing (if equipped) with the same grease used for the wheel bearings. Install them in the spindle.
  7. Install the axleshaft spacer
  8. Install the snap-ring on the spindle.