Identification of the Relationship of Wheel Bearing Preload Adjustment with Respect to Applied Installation Forces

It is the intent of this technical paper to inform tapered roller bearing producers and manufacturers of axle nuts about the results of recent research dealing with wheel bearing preload axial pressures. A testing program was conceived and perfected in the interest of correlating internal tapered roller bearing axial load pressures with the clamping forces introduced by tightening axle nut systems.

Using the information presented in this technical paper, it will be possible for all manufacturers of wheel end components to develop appropriate installation instructions for their proprietary products. These instructions would be suitable for original OEM assemblies or during retrofit operations.

Although this research program was initiated with thoughts for improving the installation of highway trailer wheels by commercial carriers because of the frequency of lost wheel accidents in the United States and Canada, the principles explained possibly could have application to all devices having rotating systems using tapered roller bearings.