Wheel Bearing Adjustment RWD-All Except C3500HD

Notice: Never preload the front wheel bearings. Damage can result by the steady load on the roller ends that comes from preloading.

Important: 

1. Raise the vehicle. Support the vehicle with safety stands.
2. Remove the wheel cover, if used.



3. Remove the dust cap from the hub.

Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

4. Remove the cotter pin.

Tighten
Tighten the hub/rotor bearing nut to 16 N·m (12 lb ft), while turning the wheel forward by hand. This will seat the bearings.

Important: Do not back the nut off more than ¼ turn.

5. Adjust the nut to so that it is just loose. Then, back the nut off until the hole in the spindle aligns with a slot in the nut.
6. Install a new cotter pin.

6.1.	Make sure the cotter pin ends do not interfere with the cap.

6.2.	Bend the ends of the cotter pin against the nut.

6.3.	Cut off any extra pin length.




7. Measure the endplay in the hub/rotor assembly. Proper endplay is 0.03-0.20 mm (0.001-0.008 in).
8. Install the cap to the hub/rotor.
9. Install the wheel cover, if used.
10. Remove the safety stands.
11. Lower the vehicle.

Wheel Bearing Adjustment RWD-C3500HD

Notice: Never preload the front wheel bearings. Damage can result by the steady load on the roller ends that comes from preloading.

Important: 

•	In order to maintain the continuous, smooth functioning of the front suspension, the front wheel bearings must be correctly adjusted.

•	The bearings must be a slip fit on the spindle and the wheel bearings must be lubricated in order to ensure that the roller bearings will roll and not skid.

•	The spindle nut must have a free-running fit on the spindle threads.

1. Raise the vehicle. Support the vehicle with suitable safety stands under the lower control arm.
2. Remove the retainer cap.

Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

3. Remove the cotter pin.

Tighten
Tighten the nut to 16 N·m (12 lb ft), while rotating the wheel and tire assembly, or the hub/rotor. This will seat the bearings.

4. Back off the nut one flat.

•	If the hole in the spindle lines up with the slot in the nut, insert the cotter pin.

•	If these do not line up, back off the nut until the hole and the slot line up. Do not back off the nut more than one additional flat.

5. Measure the endplay in the hub/rotor. This measurement should be between 0.013-0.20 mm (0.0005-0.008 in) when properly adjusted.
6. Install the retainer cap.
7. Lower the vehicle.