2013 HDi axle bearing

[wrench]

Hi guys. Need some opinions if possible. #2 right hand outer axle bearing is noisy so I am replacing both bearings. When installing the outer bearing on the axle, how do you know where the bearing should be located to tighten the set screws? If not at exactly the right place, when you tighten the bolt at the end of the axle, you might be putting excess side load on the bearings. I think this is what happened to mine. Because if you locate the bearing according to the manual instructions, I am loading the bearings too much. I wonder why they wouldn’t reverse the bearing so the set screws would be accessible from the outside. I may just do that.

[plott hound]

theres a flat spot on the axle for the set screw.my manual says to tighten set screw up at the inner most part of the flat spot.inner meaning towards the sprocket.i can double check for you if you dont have the same info as me.

[wrench]

Thanks ph. I do have that info and if I do it like they say, there is still too much side load on the bearing.

[ARGOJIM]

Thanks ph. I do have that info and if I do it like they say, there is still too much side load on the bearing.

Seeing as you did not replace the axle you could try to realign the old set screw mark. The last machine I did was a conversion so I installed everything tight, marked the axles and uninstalled, tightened bearing at marks and reinstalled then everything rotated freely.

[beagle man]

Assemble your axle assembly with your flange, gaskets, and bearing keeping the set screws loose and don't forget to put anti seize on the axle first. Don't worry about the sprocket at this time, install the axle all the way in. Now push the bearing race and bearing into position, nice and tight to the frame. Very carefully slide the axle out and lock down your set screws, just make sure you have the flat spots on the axle indexed for the set screws. Now you are ready to put it together with the sprocket for your final install. Put some silicon on the bolts to keep the water out. FYI the torque spec. is 30 ftlbs for the axle flanges. I cheated and didn't use my torque wrench one time and cracked a flange, you should still retorque after a while if they leak. beagle man - 2016 750hdi w/ axle upgrade kit.

[Buzz]

yes, you can install the HD outer bearings with the set screws out. That way the set screw can be tightened last. I would recommend dimpling the axle or carefully drilling a small recess into the axle. Just use compressed air and/or brakleen to force shavings out. Add a small dab of blue loc tite to set screw.
If you don’t want to do this, just practice install the flange/bearing carrier/bearing/gaskets tight against the body and tap the axle in so that it seats all the way into the inner bearing (as beagle man described). As long as everything is pushed snug, vise grip clamp the outside of bearing collar so it cannot move on axle and take everything axle out. Index bearing collar set screw onto flat spot on axle (make sure flange and bearing is tight against vise grip) and tighten set screw. During the final tightening, the axle gets sucked in via the thrust bolt, and the outer bearing flange gets sucked in roughly an equal distance when the bearing flange bolts are tightened, and there is not excessive side load on the bearing. You should be able to spin the axle fairly easily just by grabbing a single lug stud by hand. If it’s difficult, then the bearing is to far in or out on the axle.

[wrench]

Thanks guys. I installed them with set screws outside and all is great.