Check and Adjust Wheel Bearing Play

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A - Spindle

B - Seal

C - Bearing Cone

D - Grease Retaining Plate

E - Hub

F - Seal

G - Bearing Cone

H - Castellated Nut

I - Locking Pin

J - Seal

K - Hubcap

L - Socket Head Cap Screws

Wheel bearings are subject to wear and lifetime depends on operating conditions:

  • Load
  • Speed
  • Lubrication
  • Adjustment

Check Wheel Bearing Play

  1. If bearings are damaged or worn, bearings and seals must be replaced.

    Chock wheels and raise wheel off ground using a suitable jack.

  2. Rotate wheel at a slow speed in both directions to check for rough points or friction.

  3. Rotate wheel at a high speed and check for unusual noises, grating, or grinding.

  4. Verify that play does not come from suspension or steering axle kingpin, if equipped.

    It may be necessary to use a pry bar for larger wheels between tire and ground to check for play.

    Grip wheel at top and bottom and check for play in bearings by tilting wheel.

  5. If play is detected, proceed to Adjusting Wheel Bearings.


Adjusting Wheel Bearings

  1. After checking for bearing play, lower wheel until tire contacts ground.

  2. Loosen wheel nuts.

  3. Using a suitable jack, raise machine and support axle using a suitable jack stand on a firm surface.

  4. Chock wheels and remove wheel from machine.

  5. Remove hubcap (K).

  6. Remove locking pin (I) from castellated nut (H).

  7. When castellated nut is tightened fully, technician should feel resistance in hub rotation.

    Tighten castellated nut until internal play is removed.

  8. Loosen castellated nut (B) until there is no longer friction between castellated nut and outer bearing (G).

  9. Align notches in castellated nut with hole in spindle and install locking pin (I).

  10. Avoid over tightening hub and having too much preload on bearings. It is best to have a hub that is too loose instead of being too tight.

    Check that hub rotates more freely with little resistance.

  11. Install hubcap (K) and wheel. (See Remove and Install Wheels in this section.)

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