Re: Rear wheel bearing torque?

["Paul C. Waterloo" <74543.407@CompuServe.COM>]

> From: Fieldsj@uwwvax.uww.edu (Jerry Fields)
> Date: Mon, 6 May 1996 08:23:29 +0100
> Subject: Rear wheel bearing torque?
> 
> I replaced rear wheel bearings in my '87 5KCST a couple weeks ago, and
> checked them this past weekend. They appeared to be loose. Bently doesn't
> give a torque figure for the spindle nut; just says to tighten to the point
> where the washer under the nut can be moved slightly without prying.
> (Manual doesn't give exploded views of rear disc brakes, either, only
> drums.)
> 
> Anyone have a practical torque figure? I have an inch-pound torque wrench
> as well as a foot-pound, if inch-pounds work better.
> 
> I've also noticed some vertical (12:00 - 6:00) play, but no horizontal (say
> 3:00 - 9:00 position) play in the wheel with the new bearings. Both sides
> seems to be about the same.
> 
> Do I have
> 1. Bad bearings
> 2. Loose bearings
> 3. Worn spindles or hubs
>  Or is this normal for this car?
> 
> Thanks for any feedback!

I don't know exactly what the bearings look like, I suspect they are tapered
roller bearings. If you installed new inner races, then you might not of had the
inner race completely installed on the shaft. With car bearings, this is
normally an interferance fit, (meaning the inside diameter of the inner race is
smaller than the outside diameter of the shaft) and if you did not heat up the
inner race before installing, it does not go on the whole way.

But then you tighten spindle nut down, and it is just fine. After you drive on
it for a while, the inner race gets loads placed on it, it also heats up. The
race then slips on to where it should be on the shaft, effectively making the
spindle nut further away from the inner race, causing the bearing to loosen.

Readjust it, and it should be fine.

I've never replaced bearings on an Audi, but the above is true for just about
every other car that I have ever done!

Paul Waterloo
Colchester, CT

87 5KSQ