Trailer bearing preload
 

Does anyone know the correct preload on my trailer wheel bearings? I would think a torque wrench wouldn't be correct to use. In the past I've tighten the axle nut to a point of feeling resistance and then turn a little more?

no preload. turn nut in till there is no play, and that is it. lock down there.

X-2 sounds like you been over tightening!

It has been a while but what I used to do is preload to 15 ft lbs while spinning tire. Then back off to the first notch that the cotter pin would fit into. Shake tire and there shouldn't be any play and wheel should spin freely. 15 ft lbs would usually slow tire to a stop. Tire would spin very easily when backed off. This is also how we used to do front wheel bearings of a car. We being the over the fifty gang. Hope this helps but if it is a modern trailer you probably better get a manual for the hubs. In my next lesson I will teach you how to remove a bearing buddy without damaging your aluminum rim.

fixx
 

+1,,thats how i was told how to do it which was part of the over fifty gang which now would have been over the eighty gang..RIP DAD...

@Premier Power.. Please.. I would love to know how to replace the Bearing buddies on my trailer without screwing up my custom matching Wheels!

that's easy. never grease the bearing and uase it in salt water. bearing fails. wheel flops around, eventually you will see the bearing buddy jump off and fly across the road...

I had to replace one of my Dexter EZ Lube axles. Long Story. But anyway I had the same question. Looked it up on line from Dexter. Torque the nut while turning the hub to 50ftlbs. Stop hold the hub back the nut off, hand tighten the nut and install the retainer. I could not beleive it but thats what I did. Probably have 800 miles on it no problems.

This may help......
http://www.etrailer.com/question-9454.html

Yes, I noticed that on newer axles they are calling for a lot more preload before the nut is backed off and hand tightened. Some preload on the bearings is necessary but I was worried to use the 50 lbs starting preload. Glad to hear that it is working out, next time I'll use that figure.