Need help setting wheel bearing properly.
 

I repacked my front wheel bearings today adjusted them according to the Haynes manual. Now I believe they are too tight. They make a bumping noise when driving and they get hot. So what is the correct way to adjust them for the backyard mechanic? Did a search but didn't find exactly what I needed. Plus my wife has to drive me too work tomorrow.:mad: Any help appreciated, Jeff

Dial gauge is the preffered method. For starters is the heat being generated by the brake system or the tight bearings? The descriptions on how to use the dial gauge method are in the archives. You might try to loosen the retainers a quarter turn and see if there is any improvement temporarily.

If they are the source of the bumps you feel they must be way too tight or something is wrong. I would not drive on them.

I still use the old fashoned way....tighten them til they slow down with resistance and loosten til they turn freely....and make sure there is just barely no play in them.

Would simply taking the calipers off to mess with the bearings affect the brake function? What should I look for?

Don't take them off, just take a big screwdriver and pry the pads away from the rotor.;)

no. taking off the rotors should not affect brake function. unless you separated the caliper halves... so. you pulled the calipers without changing pads, just to grease the bearings?

You might want to put a bit more thought into that concept!!!

gee thanks tango...
I guess I should state, the function should not be affected once the rotors are bolted securely back on...:o:eek:
and actually, now that I ponder it further, it could cause binding and or damage... did you hang the calipers by the hoses? hoses can get damaged this way, resulting in seizing the pistons in their sleeves because of the internal damage to the hose.

This worked well for me too -I set my 123 and 126 up with a dial gauge after igniting a few tempers here and then did it in the manner expressed above -worked fine and many months later still fine. My indy Mercedes tech does it this way also. Be sure to repack your bearing correctly and pack your hub and dust cap. I weighed my grease -just being picky -have fun!

FYI data
 

Wheel bearing threads
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/148772-wheel-bearing.html#post1125744