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| DANGER - Loose Wheel Condition | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Sep 11 2015, 09:07 AM (1,014 Views) | |
| Physics_Outlaw | Sep 11 2015, 09:07 AM Post #1 |
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Physics_Outlaw
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1996 Geo Metro LSi hatchback, automatic transmission, 1.3L 4-cylinder engine This has been an on going issue for quite some time. I ordered a new bearing spacer from Suzuki (goes in between the two bearings inside the drum), installed new bearings and greased everything real good. I can't tighten the left rear spindle lock nut (aka crush nut) to torque spec without it seizing up the wheel rotation. I have to back off the spindle lock nut enough so the wheel will spin freely but this causes it to have a little play which will eventually wear the tire unevenly and cause excessive vibration. Has anyone else had this issue? Could the spindle itself be the cause of this? What about the concave washer/spacer that goes behind the spindle lock nut? I thank you in advance for your time and consideration on this matter. Edited by Physics_Outlaw, Sep 11 2015, 09:07 AM.
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| idmetro | Sep 11 2015, 11:50 AM Post #2 |
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While I haven't had this issue, I would be suspicious of your drum. What caused you to need to order a new spacer? In my experience spindles are pretty robust. |
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| snowfish | Sep 11 2015, 11:57 AM Post #3 |
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Basic GearHead
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If this is an aftermarket drum, it's not machined right. I ran into this with the Beck Arnley Drums. Massive bearing pre-load. Solution? Shim the spacer. A 14ga machine bushing works great. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Use a Real Bearing Tool to press with. A socket will ended up giving the bearing pre-load. Pressing surface needs to be flat. Be sure to grease the bearing too. ![]() Some don't come with much grease at all! The stake nut should not turn more than 1/2 - 3/4 to bring it up to 74ftlbs.
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| Murf 59 | Sep 11 2015, 12:43 PM Post #4 |
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If you do have to use an extra spacer, make sure its a hardened one. |
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| snowfish | Sep 11 2015, 03:20 PM Post #5 |
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Basic GearHead
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Pretty sure the machine washers are. But what if their not? It doesn't spin and doesn't have any real force, other than the 74ftlbs. I do know the machine washers are a heck of a lot more solid than the standard spindle washers, which squash if torqued too tight. Remember, from hand tight, the spindle nut should turn 1/2 - 3/4 turns max to bring to 74ftlbs.
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| Physics_Outlaw | Sep 11 2015, 03:43 PM Post #6 |
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Physics_Outlaw
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The mechanic who installed the last set of tires told me that I would need a new spacer and that he got the wheel as tight as he could. I checked the inner bearing spacer and it had more play in it than the opposite wheel on the same axle so I assumed it was that and ordered/installed another. 74 ft lbs? I over tightened mine then because the Haynes Manual 1985-2001 Chevrolet Sprint, Geo & Chevrolet Metro Chapter 9 Brakes states that staked nuts are torqued to 129 ft lbs. I will adjust it down to 74 ft lbs. (thanks Snowfish) I will go ahead and get the 14 gauge machine washer from my local hardware "big box store" and see how that works. Four leaf clovers and rabbit feet are always welcome.
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| Physics_Outlaw | Sep 13 2015, 06:10 PM Post #7 |
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Physics_Outlaw
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Hey snowfish. I tried the washer as a spacer and it didn't work. I think my aftermarket drum could be out of spec. It appears when I tighten the spindle lock nut down, the brake pads are causing too much friction. I can't even spin the drum by hand. Which brand of drum do you use? Where did you source it? Thanks in advance for your consideration. |
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| Metbob | Sep 13 2015, 07:10 PM Post #8 |
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Did you change the brake shoes while you had it off? I had to change the bearings and was going to change my shoes and found the new ones were to wide. Just my 2 cents
Edited by Metbob, Sep 13 2015, 07:14 PM.
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| Physics_Outlaw | Sep 13 2015, 07:18 PM Post #9 |
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Physics_Outlaw
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No I didn't. Now that I look at the pictures that snowfish provided, I realize that I put the washer in the wrong place. He is right about the bearings getting loaded up. As soon as I tighten the spindle lock nut down, the drum gets hung up and doesn't want to spin. I will get a bearing driver set and do it right. Sorry to hear that your shoes were too wide. That's crazy. Where did you get your bearings from? The last set that I installed were from NAPA. |
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| Old Man | Sep 13 2015, 09:45 PM Post #10 |
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By not having the correct length spacer when you torqued down to 129 ft lbs you were pushing the balls of the bearing against the race at 129 ft lbs. That has probably flat spotted the balls and indented the race. I would suspect that you have less than 10K miles before the bearings go bad again.----Just something to watch for. |
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| Metbob | Sep 14 2015, 05:43 AM Post #11 |
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I got everything from Advance, bearings worked fine had to take the brake shoes, and spindle nuts back they wouldn't fit. |
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Massive bearing pre-load.
Shim the spacer.
A 14ga machine bushing works great.





It doesn't spin and doesn't have any real force, other than the 74ftlbs. 
9:49 AM Jul 11