Bearing Play/Installation
Hello Dave,
Go onto the Dexter Axle website and click on "Products & Literature". Next click "Service Kit Installation Sheets". Finally click "Hubs/Drums/Bearings". Look for "Bearing Adjustment and Hub Replacement".
This section tells you how to install/adjust bearings. Basically you slowly rotate the wheel while tighening the spindle nut to ~50 lb.-ft. After that you loosen the spindle nut without rotating the wheel. Then finger tighten the nut(not rotating the wheel). Next finger loosen the nut to the first point you can set the nut retaainer or cotter pin hole(depending upon the type of nut retainer system. This sets the bearing play. It is not much but you can feel it when you twist the wheel back and forth with your hands. No play is not good for the bearing.
Since you finger tightned the nut you may have had a little play which you could not detect so your bearing has survived for now. You may want to set the play properly for assured bearing life. A bearing that is at all tight will not last long - sometimes only a block or two depending on how tight it is.
Hope this helps.
Take care,
Phil
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