Just checking...

My car has its MOT in a couple of weeks so I thought I'd go out and shake its wheels a bit. Detected a bit of looseness in one of the front hubs, so stripped it all down and nipped up the nut a bit.

Not knowing the correct torque setting, I tightened it until I could detect some resistance when I turned the hub, then backed it off a little until it was free-running. Fitted the locking washer and new split pin, and now I don't have any detectable looseness when I shake that wheel.

Does this sound like the correct technique?

cheers,
David

I'm sure you should have a little play at the wheel rim, I adjusted mine up yesterday !!

As my friendly MOT man always moans about the play it seems to be an alien concept now days.

I definitly would not remove all play as you would be pre loading the bearings.

For the hub nut, torque to 27lb ft then back of by 1/4 turn.

I've never used a torque wrench on a taper roller bearing as used on the Cortina . I've always tightened the nut until it just "nips" then back it off just a touch. .Slight play in a wheel bearing should not be an M.O.T. failure .

I thought the Haynes doesn't specify a torque value - it says to do it the way you have suggested. Sounds fine to me....

Any torque settings are only supplied so the inexperienced will not get it too far wrong.

Leave the dust cap of and put the roadwheel back on, spin the wheel by hand while giving the nut a good hard nip, this centres the bearings. Rock the bottom of the wheel while backing off the nut very slowly until you can just perceive some free play. Turn the nut clockwise to align the splitpin holes. Drive 50 miles and repeat the setting.

Thanks folks,

It sounds like my method wasn't far wrong. After putting it all back together and re-fitting the wheel, it all turned freely and there was just a hint of free play.

cheers.