Vibration after front end rebuild

[LocuMob]

All I can say is WTF?!? I tightened the bearings, tool it for a test drive of under 10 miles and they are loose again. I haven't checked them out, but the vibration at 40-50 is back. Do in need to replace the tanged nut cover? Is the cotter pin supposed to go in a special way? I'm lost on how this simple thing isn't working right. I have to go to the doctors office so I'll check it out after that. This is starting to really piss me off. I want to drive the car, not adjust it for a 6 mile test.

 

[commando1]

Wheel bearings worked themselves loose...

The bearings weren't seated correctly when you buttoned up everything and said well that's that.

 

[LocuMob]

The bearings were seated. Everything lined up in the same spot as before. I put new spindle nuts on and that worked. The bearings stayed put.

 

[commando1]

I can't for the life of be see why new nuts would make a difference but I'm glad it worked out. Soooo... No shimmy shimmy shake shake now?

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[jippek]

The bearings were seated. Everything lined up in the same spot as before. I put new spindle nuts on and that worked. The bearings stayed put.

I had to tighten them 3 times before they seated properly so I would suspect them still if problems.

 

[commando1]

You crank down on the nuts as hard as you can to seat the bearings, back off until the wheel spins loose as a goose, and then you keep tightening the nut until friction stops the spinning after a couple of revolutions. Fine tune the nut until it lines up with the cotter pin hole. Once the cotter pin is in, how can any nut move? Help me out here. I'm always willing to learn something new after 50 years.

 

[LocuMob]

Well, I will crank those nuts down til I can't turn the tire and back 'em off. Just curious why there is no mention of preload in the FSM. I've done this on other cars and never had any issue.

Stan I agree the nut shouldn't move and I don't believe it did. The bearings weren't tight enough. I didn't just throw it together and say good enough, that's why I've only driven the car on test drives and immediately checked what was wrong. It's stupid and puzzling and I shouldn't be having this much trouble. If it keeps doing this I guess I'll rebuild the hubs again.

 

[65sporty]

Were the races seated all the way in the hub? The only time I have had a bearing loosen up is when it was junk. What brand are the bearings? Beware of cheap china made bearings

 

[mr. fix it]

strange, I have a similar issue with my car now.. Best check those wheel bearings... But they're all B/N!!!

I bought the Timken brand.. been a good brand name here in these neck of the woods..

 

[1978 NYB]

I agree, Timken is a good quality bearing.

 

[mr. fix it]

I'll check this out tomorrow eveinng.. it a good possibility..otherwise things are coming together!

Hoping to take it on a 300 mile round trip this week end coming up. It needs to get the final shake down before going!

 

[1978 NYB]

Good luck! Let us know how it turns out. Plenty of pictures please.

 

[mr. fix it]

okay if you insist!:evil6: LOL!

 

[LocuMob]

Were the races seated all the way in the hub? The only time I have had a bearing loosen up is when it was junk. What brand are the bearings? Beware of cheap china made bearings

They were seated in the hub. I believe they were National Bearing. Brand new.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

Has to be the races not seated

 

[mr. fix it]

Well I checked last night and the right was good but the left was a touch loose.
I tightened the bearings to the factory FSM instructions and tired it again which was much better.

I do have a warped left front brake drum though as when i apply the brakes I get a huge vibration in the steering wheel.
When spinning by hand the right is smooth rotation but the left one slips then grabs, slips then grabs when rotating the wheel..

 

[jippek]

I do have a warped left front brake drum though as when i apply the brakes I get a huge vibration in the steering wheel.

I had it too after new break shoes, now after few thousand miles it is almost smooth.

 

[mr. fix it]

okay maybe I need to wait a bit. I planned to have the drum turned a bit to see how bad it was..

 

[mr. fix it]

Not to hi-jack this thread any further but my vibration is cured with turning the drum today.
The left one B/N was out by about .0015" to straighten it up. Smooth as can be now..

you can see the chatter that was happening as a result of the out of round drum.

 

[LocuMob]

my vibration is cured with turning the drum today.

Good to hear. Thanks for the suggestion. I already had my drums turned so I can rule that out. I'm going to triple check the hubs in a couple of hours. If I don't find anything wrong, I'll be ordering new Timken bearings from good old Rock Auto.

Scott