'89 Acclaim rear wheel bearing torque

[morgsie]

Hi, having trouble finding torque specs on tightening a rear wheel bearing on an '89 Plymouth Acclaim (same as a Dodge Spirit I assume?). Anyway, I went to a local parts store that had Mitchell. Mitchell said to tighten the wheel bearing to seat it, back it off, then torque to 17-25 ft-lbs. Does this sound right? I've never been very comfortable with tightening wheel bearings I always think they are too tight or too loose. Does any one know if those specs are right or have any tips for me on tightening wheel bearings?

Thanks,
morgsie

[Avenger]

They got it wrong, kinda. You tighten them to that spec, but then you back the nut off 1/4 turn. Then, without tools, you tighten it to "Finger-tight" before putting the little cover and the cotter pin back on (and in...). I'm taking odds that finger-tight works out to about 25lbs anyway.

Don't re-use the cotter-pin. The next time you try to pull a re-used cotter-pin out, it'll come apart.

[tryingbe]

Here's the way I do it. Put the wheel on when you do this, Torque it down to 20lbs, then back the nut off, tight it to finger tight, then check the wheel for play, if there is side to side play, tighten it a little more and check again. Tighten/check 'til the wheel have no play, then you know you're good. Put the cotter-pin and you're done.

[NAJ]

I have been Pre-Loading bearings by hand for 30 years, the feel comes with experiance, if you are in doubt here is Chryslers Official method for Pre-Loading Rear Wheel Bearings.

[morgsie]

Thanks for the replies guys! I got everything together using the methods above, seems fine.

Thank you again,
morgsie.