Replacing rear bearing - how much to tighten it?

[Beddo88]

Morning all,

I'm about to replace one of my rear bearings, can someone please clarify how much I should be tightening this by? The haynes method feels (to me) like it leaves the bearing way too loose. Also, I've gone down south and forgotten my Haynes... So any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Cheers,
Dan

[MacColl]

From what I remember my mate said the best way is put the wheel on with it still jacked up (you can feel for play by wiggling the whole wheel) and with a socket and ratchet lightly tighten- then release and re-tighten with only socket in your hand should only be hand tight. check there is no play and fit retainer and split pin.

After about 100 miles check again as above.

[dozzum]

My dad showed me how to do it years ago (hes been a mechanic for 40 years) and I remember there is a washer that should just be able to move freely when pushed about with a screwdriver. So tighten it until it wont move (to seat the bearing nicely) then slacken it off bit by bit until the washer can move.

Too tight can damage the bearing.

[wasted]

My dad showed me how to do it years ago (hes been a mechanic for 40 years) and I remember there is a washer that should just be able to move freely when pushed about with a screwdriver. So tighten it until it wont move (to seat the bearing nicely) then slacken it off bit by bit until the washer can move.

Too tight can damage the bearing.

That's actually the same as the Haynes method, but my friendly VW mechanic recently said that he tends to get it to the point where the washer is moveable with the tip of a 'driver and then tighten it a quarter turn. Apparently the Haynes method is over-conservative, and it can lead to bearings failing regardless.

[Beddo88]

Just a minor questions about the above... how does that method work with the rocco washers... (which have the locating pin as part of them!)

I've got them to the point that I can slightly push the washer around, then tightened them about 1/8 turn. I just always get paranoid of this being the only thing that holds my rear wheels to the car!!

[dozzum]

But equally doing it too tight can cause problems for the bearing. Too tight, more friction, more heat, and so on.

[wasted]

But equally doing it too tight can cause problems for the bearing. Too tight, more friction, more heat, and so on.

Yup, but a quarter turn is pretty much ok for new bearings imo - they will loosen up over time anyway.

As for the washer being the "only thing" holding the bearing in, it's simply not the case - the bearings are held in place by the washer, yes, but over the top of that there should be a nut, with a castellated cover over it and a split pin. As long as that pin doesn't go AWOL, you have nothing to worry about, because the cover will prevent the nut from turning, and hence prevent it from loosening.

[go-for-it1]

Being able to just move the washer means from side to side with a screwdriver, not to rotate it. The peg in the groove prevents rotation anyway.