Somebody help me!

Ive got a 67 dart 270 with 9" front drums. I just shredded my 2nd set of wheel bearings, maybe on both sides, definitely on one. I was driving along and started to hear the click click, grind grind, oh crap! I get home and find no dust cap on one wheel and serious bearing disfigurement. I replaced the bearings both times as per all the instructions I could find.

1. remove parts, knock out races, clean everything of old grease.
2. press in new races, pack hub full of grease
3. pack inner bearing, replace grease seal
4. push hub on spindle, pack outer bearing, push on
5. place washer on spindle, tighten nut to about 65 ft/lb
6. put lock thing on and put cotter pin through hole
7. fill dust cap with grease press on

What am I doing wrong, or what could be causing this to happen?

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'67 Dart 270 4door, 225

65 ft-lbs - that is about 10 times too much torque, and I'm surprised you could even spin the wheels with that much preload. The spec is around 90 inch-lbs (or 7 ft-lbs), then back off the nut, tighten it finger tight, then install cage and pin. That amount of tightening would definitely smoke your bearings.

Hope this helps,

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

thanks lou. Thats what I get for only have a Hanes and some pages from various manuals on pdf. I hope this is the last time.

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'67 Dart 270 4door, 225

Also, it is not necessary, to pack the hub or cap with grease. Just put a small amount in the hub, to coat it , to prevent rust. None in the cap. But DO make sure the bearings are totall packed. Work it in, rotate the bearing, and pack some more.

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

What Lou said! I don't even use a torque wrench. My method is turn the wheel while tightening the nut with a set of slip joint pliers, back off the nut about 1/16-1/8". Grab the wheel (I like doing this with the wheel/drum assembley on) top and bottem and see if there is any wiggle present. If there is, tighten nut alittle more. Then install the retainer and cotter pin. There is supposed to be some grease in the hub, it helps keep the bearings lubed through centrifical force. You don't have to pack it though!