Pro Torq Axle Spindle Nut

Diesel Technology with Mr. Love
30 Jan 202310:48

TLDRIn this informative video, Mr. Love from the Diesel Lab demonstrates the installation and torque specifications of Pro Torque nuts by Stemco on an axle assembly. He highlights the nut's reliability, emphasizing its unique design features like the orange keeper and its resistance to loosening. The video also covers the proper use of a torque wrench and the importance of correct end play, ensuring the longevity and safety of the wheel assembly.

Takeaways

  • 🛠️ The video discusses the installation and torque specifications of Pro Torque nuts made by Stemco.
  • 🔩 The Pro Torque nut is favored for its reliability, with no reported failures causing the hub assembly to loosen.
  • 🔧 The oddball socket size (4 and 3/8ths, 8 point) can be a challenge, and a custom-made socket may be necessary.
  • 🧡 The orange keeper in the Pro Torque nut is crucial for locking the nut into place and preventing it from walking off the spindle.
  • 🔨 The initial torque application is 200 foot-pounds, followed by spinning the hub assembly and repeating the torque three times.
  • 🔄 After the initial torque, the nut is backed off one full rotation to reduce the torque to 100 foot-pounds, repeated three times.
  • 📏 The final step involves backing off the nut 1/8 of a turn and checking end play with a dial indicator.
  • 🚫 It's important not to reverse the torque wrench to avoid damaging the internal components of the wheel assembly.
  • 🔒 Ensuring the orange keeper is correctly placed is critical to prevent the nut from unscrewing itself.
  • 📋 Always check the end play and spindle parallelism before reinstalling the axle to avoid damage or leaks.

Q & A

  • What is the main topic of the video?

    -The main topic of the video is the installation and torque specifications of Pro Torque nuts made by Stemco on an axle assembly.

  • Who is the speaker in the video?

    -The speaker in the video is Mr. Love, coming to the audience from the Diesel Lab.

  • Why does the speaker prefer Pro Torque nuts by Stemco?

    -The speaker prefers Pro Torque nuts by Stemco because they have not experienced any failures with these nuts coming loose or causing the hub assembly to walk off, which has happened with other types of spindle nuts.

  • What is the unique feature of the Pro Torque nut that the speaker highlights?

    -The unique feature of the Pro Torque nut highlighted by the speaker is the presence of an orange keeper that locks the nut into the spindle assembly, preventing it from walking off during hand tightening or lateral movement.

  • What is the oddball socket size required for the Pro Torque nut mentioned in the video?

    -The oddball socket size required for the Pro Torque nut mentioned in the video is a four and three-eighths, eight-point socket.

  • How does the speaker deal with not having the correct socket on hand?

    -The speaker deals with not having the correct socket on hand by creating their own custom socket out of pipe and flat steel, welding the flat steel to the pipe to make it fit the three-quarter drive like a normal axle nut socket.

  • What is the first torque specification mentioned for the Pro Torque nut?

    -The first torque specification mentioned for the Pro Torque nut is 200 foot-pounds.

  • How many times is the nut torqued to 200 foot-pounds before moving on to the next step?

    -The nut is torqued to 200 foot-pounds three times before moving on to the next step.

  • What is the final torque specification after the initial 200 foot-pound torques?

    -The final torque specification after the initial 200 foot-pound torques is to back the nut off by 1/8 of a turn.

  • How does the speaker ensure the proper end play for the axle assembly?

    -The speaker ensures the proper end play for the axle assembly by using a dial indicator to check the end play, aiming for two thousandths of an inch of movement.

  • What are the consequences of not having the proper end play?

    -The consequences of not having the proper end play include damaging the bearings by putting too much preload on them, causing them to overheat and potentially leading to oil leaks and brake shoe contamination.

Outlines

00:00

🛠️ Introduction to Pro Torque Nuts by Stemco

The video begins with an introduction to Pro Torque nuts manufactured by Stemco, used in axle assembly. The speaker shares their preference for this type of spindle nut due to its reliability, having never experienced a failure where the nut comes loose. The only issue mentioned is the uncommon socket size required for this particular nut, leading to the creation of a custom socket. The speaker also highlights the orange keeper present in the Pro Torque nut, which prevents the nut from walking off the spindle during hand-tightening.

05:02

🔧 Torquing and Assembly Process

This paragraph details the process of torquing the Pro Torque nut to the specified 200 foot-pounds, followed by spinning the hub assembly to ensure proper tightening. The process is repeated three times, emphasizing the importance of following the correct torque sequence. After the initial torquing, the nut is then backed off by one full rotation. The speaker explains the importance of this process for setting the preload on the bearings and ensuring that all components are fully seated on the spindle.

10:04

📏 Checking End Play and Final Adjustments

The final paragraph focuses on checking the end play of the hub assembly using a dial indicator to ensure it falls within the acceptable range of one to five thousandths of an inch. The speaker explains the consequences of having the assembly either too tight or too loose, such as damage to the bearings, wheel seal leakage, and potential oil leaks. The importance of the orange keeper in the Pro Torque nut is reiterated, as it is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the wheel assembly. The video concludes with a reminder to always check the end play before reassembling the axle and putting the hubcap back on.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Pro Torque Nut

The Pro Torque Nut is a specialized type of spindle nut manufactured by Stemco, which is designed to provide a secure and reliable connection for axle assemblies. In the video, the presenter highlights its preference for this nut due to its consistent performance and lack of failure over years of use. The Pro Torque Nut features a unique design with a small orange keeper that locks it into place, preventing it from loosening and causing the wheel assembly to become unstable.

💡Stemco

Stemco is the company that manufactures the Pro Torque Nut discussed in the video. The presenter expresses a strong preference for Stemco's product, indicating a high level of trust in the brand's quality and reliability. The association with Stemco signifies the importance of using reputable components for critical automotive parts.

💡Axle Assembly

An axle assembly is a crucial component of a vehicle's drivetrain, consisting of the axle, bearings, wheel hub, and other parts that transmit power from the engine to the wheels. In the context of the video, the Pro Torque Nut is used to secure the wheel assembly to the axle, ensuring the proper function and safety of the vehicle.

💡Spindle

A spindle is a central rotating shaft, typically found in the wheel hubs of vehicles, around which the wheels rotate. In the video, the Pro Torque Nut is threaded onto the spindle, and its proper installation is crucial for the stability and safety of the wheel assembly.

💡Orange Keeper

The orange keeper is a small, brightly colored component of the Pro Torque Nut that locks into place within the spindle assembly, ensuring that the nut remains secure and does not loosen unintentionally. It is a critical safety feature that prevents the wheel assembly from becoming detached while the vehicle is in motion.

💡Torque Wrench

A torque wrench is a tool used to tighten or loosen bolts and nuts to a precise torque, ensuring that they are secured with the correct amount of force. In the video, the torque wrench is used to apply specific amounts of force to the Pro Torque Nut during installation, following the manufacturer's recommended torque specifications.

💡Foot-Pounds

Foot-pounds is a unit of torque that represents the turning force applied to an object. In the context of the video, the presenter uses foot-pounds to quantify the amount of force applied by the torque wrench when securing the Pro Torque Nut to the axle assembly.

💡Socket Size

Socket size refers to the dimensions of a socket, which is a tool used to tighten or loosen nuts and bolts. In the video, the presenter mentions the need for a specific socket size (four and three-eighths inch) to fit the Pro Torque Nut, highlighting the importance of using the correct size for proper installation.

💡Wheel Bearing

A wheel bearing is a component that reduces friction between the wheel hub and the axle, allowing the wheels to rotate smoothly. In the video, the presenter discusses the process of inspecting and reassembling the wheel bearings as part of the axle assembly maintenance.

💡End Play

End play refers to the amount of free movement or clearance at the end of a rotating shaft, such as a spindle. In the context of the video, proper end play is crucial for the correct functioning of the wheel assembly, as too much or too little can lead to premature wear or failure of the bearings and other components.

💡Dial Indicator

A dial indicator is a precision measuring instrument used to measure small distances or changes in position. In the video, the dial indicator is used to check the end play of the spindle after the Pro Torque Nut has been installed, ensuring that the wheel assembly is properly adjusted and aligned.

Highlights

Introduction to Pro Torque nuts made by Stemco and their application on axle assembly.

Personal experience and preference for Pro Torque nuts over other types of spindle nuts due to their reliability and lack of failure.

Discussion of the unique features of Pro Torque nuts, including the orange keeper that locks the nut into the spindle assembly.

Explanation of the challenges faced with oddball socket sizes and the innovative solution of creating a custom socket from pipe and flat steel.

Demonstration of how to remove the Pro Torque nut using fingers or a screwdriver due to its designed prying spots.

Emphasis on the importance of the keeper in the nut to prevent it from walking off during hand tightening.

Visual inspection of the nut's teeth and the orange keeper's teeth interlocking mechanism for secure placement.

Explanation of the process of reinstalling the hub, including proper torque specs and the sequence of tightening the Pro Torque nut.

Mention of the part number for the Pro Torque nut and the variety of shapes and sizes available based on spindle size.

Detailed step-by-step torque application, including initial 200 foot-pounds and subsequent rotations.

Description of the final back-off process to target 100 foot-pounds and the importance of this step.

Discussion on the impact of improper torque application on wheel assembly stability and the potential for brake shoe contamination.

Use of a dial indicator to check end play and ensure proper assembly without over-tightening or loosening.

Final reminder of the necessity of the orange keeper for the nut's functionality and the prevention of any mishaps.

Summary of the Pro Torque nut's benefits and the conclusion of the demonstration.