Rear Axle Bearing Preload

[R W]

Any one had any experience in setting the preload on the Fordson Major rear axle bearings.

[JC]

Here's the page from the repair manual.



Its number 5 on the left side of the page.
Since I dont think that anyone has the Fordson tool, you can you can put two holes in a piece of flat steel, bolt it to two of the wheel studs, weld a nut to that at the center of the axle, and use a torque wrench to set the preload.

[R W]

Thanks for your reply.
The Fordson tool for this adjustment appears to have a rod with a sliding weight.
Preload is stated as 40-45 inch lbs, would I be correct in stating this as 3.3- 3.75 ft lbs.

[JC]

3.3 to 3.75 ft. lbs. is right, but a ft. lb torque wrench set that low on the scale isn't very accurate. A 0-100 in. lb. torque wrench would be perfect.

[R W]

Your right about the tension wrench, mine starts at 20ft lbs anyway.
A spring scale attached to a suitable adapter should work OK, I think their is picture showing this on another thread.