Hub nut torque setting

[andymo1972]

Is there a torque setting for the front hub nut? I "accidentally" took off the passenger side bolt when trying to get at a broken lug stud. So I got a new nut on the way since it ate up the threads on the old one pulling it through the staked bolt. The bolt is at a machine shop now being cleaned up. I figured I could check the driver's side nut and get a close estimate on the torque setting but when I checked it, it was loose! The entire assembly (hub, rotor, wheel) had play it it. I turned it back about 1/8 turn and it was tight again. Could I have done any damage to the wheel bearing or anything with it loose? I don't think it was loose very long b/c I changed out my wheels at an open track event on saturday and it was solid for sure in the morning and I think in the afternoon as well but I was side-tracked with my buddy's 1970 cougar tranny problems.

Andy
97 red GTS

 

[Nadine UK GTS]

If you had play on your hub, sounds like you need to replace it. Speaking from very recent experience, once the bearings have play in them they need replacing ASAP! The hub / bearing assembly is non-serviceable, and it comes already torqued up (I couldn't find any reference to this torque setting). I noted the thread is deliberately 'chewed up' / distorted on the hub, presumably so you can't 'tinker' with it!!

 

[andymo1972]

The only time there was play in the wheel bearings was when the driver's side hub nut was loose. I have no play in the bearings/hub with the nut only slightly tight (I put a socket on it and held the wheel with 1 hand and that was enough to make the play go away). The passenger side nut I removed with a breaker bar and it was tight before I 'tinkered'. I need to put the new hub nut ($7.00 from the Dodge dealer) back on the pass side and torque it down. I admit, it was a bonehead move taking the nut off but other than that, the assembly on that side is fine and I see no need to buy a whole new assembly...other than to teach myself a lesson but I've already talked to myself and we agree that I've learned already...hahahahaha.

Does the fact that the driver's side hub nut came loose on it's own mean anything about the bearing assembly? Like I said it feels tight as can be with only a moderate amount of torque on the hub nut (less than 40 lbs I'd guess).

Andy
97 GTS