Prevailing torque nuts (spindle/wheel bearing)

[Techlight]

Hey All,

So the saga continues...

Repacking my wheel bearings and tore it down all the way to the spindle bearing (thanks for the tip LG)...I would have totally not done that part. The bearings look fine and I had my wrench look at them and he said they look fine. Lol, he did say if you're this far replace them, but money is tight and if they're good I'll repack them and call it a day. As long as I take care of that spindle bearing, I can replace them later in probably half an hour per side if I'm ambitious anyway.

So where ever I read "how too's" etc it says to replace the prevailing torque nuts because they are one time use. Can someone school me on what a prevailing torque nut is and where I can get replacements It seems they are like a jam nut, or nylon locking, etc...where they're good where tightened and then not again. Is this correct? Or can I just put some blue loc tite on them and call it good?

If not can I get these at lowes/home depot? Can I use something else in place of these (jam nut etc)? I've had a hell of a time finding them (other than online) and nothing vehicle specific comes up at the box auto parts.

Help and comments are appreciated as always...I seriously owe this forum quite a few six packs ...I did once mail a oil dipstick to a fellow jeeper out in like WI or something and saved him $AMC 150 bucks... so maybe we're even up haha...yeah, probably not

 

[Lumpy Grits]

NO LOCTITE!
Do you not have the FSM(MR252)?
After you seat the bearing buy spinning the hub and tightening the nut. Back off and then run the inner nut to 5ft/lbs of torque(snug hand torque with the socket only). Install tab washer. Then install outer nut and torque to 50-55ft/lb.
Bend tab washer over the flat of the outer nut to hold the nut in place.
PLEASE use your FSM-
LG

 

[Techlight]

That would be hilarious LG...I didn't mean the spindle nuts. I meant the 5 or six small nuts/washers that hold the backing plate/spindle assembly to the knuckle.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Spindle mounting bolts-Use a small drop of 242 blue locktite and torque the bolts to 35 ft/lb.
LG

 

[Hedgehog]

Those nuts can be purchased at about any ACE Hardware. Yes, stupid expensive. I call them interference nuts, b ut that's just me. If you were in Arizona I'd say go to Copper State Nut & Bolt. You'll pay about 1/2 the money and find a great place to purchase nuts & bolts. Generally if the nuts are still good you will feel resistance, like you have a bad or dented thread and you are slightly stripping the threads even when the nut is free spinning. If you can feel that the nuts are still doing their thing. If not, you can clean them (and the bolts) really well and use some "Lock tite" the goal is to not have them back out, which is unlikely due to how the spindle is machined to fit tight in it's place. Honestly, I've sinned by reusing those nuts several times. You'll find them on your drum brake/axle assembly too, at least with a Dana 44 , not at all sure about an AMC20 .

 

[Techlight]

Thank u sir...i appreciate it sine i plan to try and finish this after work tonight.

 

[Torxhead]

Techlight, if you want those six 3/8"-24 spindle mounting nuts. I would suggest using the deformed thread type locknuts. Those are use once or twice and throw them away, some guys use them more though. This is the type that the CJ came with. They are also called a conical top lock type:http://www.grainger.com/product/GRAINGER-APPROVED-Steel-Deformed-Thread-Locknut-WP119771/_/N-8ljZ1z12t7i?xi=xi&s_pp=false&picUrl=//static.grainger.com/rp/s/is/image/Grainger/2TJ30_AS01?$smthumb$

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Why are your replacing the bolts and nuts?
If you buy new-Make sure they are grade 5 minimum, in both the nut and bolt.
https://www.boltdepot.com/fastener-information/materials-and-grades/bolt-grade-chart.aspx
LG

 

[Hedgehog]

Lumpy - his manual says the nuts are "One time use only". Looks like he's just following the instructions.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Lumpy - his manual says the nuts are "One time use only". Looks like he's just following the instructions.

Don't remember see'n that notation in my FSM.
Oh-Well
LG